BACOLOD City – Seven insurgency-cleared villages in Escalante City, Negros Occidental received P20,695,000 worth of farm machineries under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Nine four-wheel drive tractors with complete implements and two hand tractors were turned over to barangays Paitan (2), Dian-ay (2), Mabini (1), Libertad (1), Pinapugasan (1), Udtongan (1), and Washington (1) on Monday.
“The farm tractors would definitely help farmers increase production and secure additional income,” said Liga ng mga Barangay president, Richard Pios Sr.
Meanwhile, Escalante City’s Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. lauded the Philippine Army and underscored the importance of the active participation of the populace in defeating insurgency.
“The Philippine Army and the Armed Forces have done their share. Now, it is time to do our part. We will not only bring the government closer to the people but we will involve the people in our governance,” the mayor said.
According to Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, the event marked the beginning of the roll-out of BDPs in the province cleared of communist terrorist groups affectation./PN
