Samar Governor asks military help; NPA rebels threaten PAMANA projects

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos sought for a security support from the Philippine Army to areas in the province where the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanang program (PAMANA) projects are now being implemented, but are being threatened by attacks from the communist rebels.

During the Regional Development Council, Infrastructure and Utilities Development meeting, Tan-Delos Santos raised this problem of NPA threat, which included extortion and harassment of construction workers.

"We want the military and the police authorities as much as possible to be very visible in areas where the PAMANA projects are implemented. Maybe the families near the areas be part of the in taking care and security to the areas,” the governor said.

Imee Calagos Bonifacio, Eastern Visayas regional manager of PAMANA, revealed at the meeting that the NPA rebels have been asking for at least 10 percent from the total amount of the projects, as revolutionary tax.

"We received a series of reports from the contractors that, from the survey down to final implementation of the projects, the NPAs have already been asking for their share, calling it revolutionary tax. We need help from authorities that this projects be completed on time and every single centavo be utilized in every PAMANA project na walang kulang," Bonifacio added.

Government earmarked about P50 million for projects that would benefit conflict-afflicted areas in Samar Island to address the root causes of insurgency, and the three provinces in Samar island are among the most vulnerable areas to the NPA bandits.

Samar island is one of the places in the country to be covered by the PAMANA projects, which is being implemented by the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and the DILG.

There are three ongoing projects, financed by the 2011 PAMANA fund, such as the construction of a section of the San Jose de Buan-Silvino Loboas road in Northern Samar, a 30-meter span bridge in Silvino Lobos, and rehabilitation of the Gandara-Matuguinao road in Samar province. (FREEMAN)