Army Completes P175-M Infra Projects in Camarines Sur

Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur (22 June) -- Army engineers have completed P175 million worth of infrastructure projects under the Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP) in Camarines Sur province, a military officer said over the weekend.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, 9ID Philippine Army spokesperson, said that some 138 completed infrastructure projects were turned-over to the local government officials of Camarines Sur in a simple turn-over rites held at the provincial capitol Friday (June 18).

"Army's 51st Engineering Brigade has completed the projects under KBP, including 28 school buildings, 31 water systems, 20 health centers and 41 farm-to-market roads, benefiting 8 municipalities in the province," Cabunoc bared.

Punong Barangay Jinet Delgado of Brgy. Palsong in Bula town, who came to witness the turn-over ceremony, gladly remarked the residents of here village were very happy with the soldiers came to help to construct additional classrooms.

"I could not contain my happiness for the help extended to us by the Philippine Army. In the past, some of our school children were having classes under the shades of the trees, due to overcrowding in the public schools," said Delgado.

In her speech, Mayor Jeanette Bernaldez of Bato town recalled her experience about the lack of roads in her hometown, noting that then "When I visited my constituents, it was very difficult for me to travel due to inaccessibility of the remote villages, but now, we are blessed to have these new roads constructed by the Army engineers," she said.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, 9ID commander, said that the implementation of the Army's peace and development programs is his top priority.

"We cannot defeat the communist insurgency with mere use of guns. To address the various root causes of the problem, we are helping communities to have access to the basic social services that they need and the KBP projects are among the assistance that we can extend to our people in remote areas," Pabustan said.

KBP projects are part of PGMA's flagship programs aimed at achieving sustainable peace and development in conflict-affected communities through the accelerated, barangay-focused rehabilitation and development.

Unlike any other development projects of the government, KBP projects are carried out by Army engineers under the over-all supervision of the National Development Support Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)