DA approves P150 million San Fernando projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved P150 million worth of projects for the southern town of San Fernando, Cebu.

The projects include farm-to-market road concreting and installation of solar street lights, which will benefit barangays Greenhills, Lantawan, and Liburon.

The development came two weeks after San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya resumed mayorship on March 6 after taking a leave for almost two months.

The mayor took a leave of absence on January 23 or the day after assailants peppered bullets on their group on board a Toyota Grandia along the national highway in Barangay Linao in Talisay City. The attack claimed the life of her husband, Councilor Ricardo Reluya Jr., driver Allan Bayot and Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer Ricky Monterona.

Reluya, in a press release, thanked the present administration for the approval of the projects.

 “On behalf of the people of San Fernando, I thank the Duterte administration through DA Secretary (Emmanuel) Manny Piñol for taking action on our requested project that will benefit thousands of residents, farmers and traders in these barangays and nearby areas,” the mayor said.

Reluya said the projects will complement the proposed port in Barangay South Poblacion.

“These infrastructure projects will complement the P358-million national government-funded San Fernando roll-on roll-off port project in Barangay South Poblacion that stands to generate income for the municipality, increases trade and commerce and provides employment and livelihood opportunities for the people of San Fernando,” she said.

Reluya said Director Romirose Padin, the assistant chief of the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP), which is under the Office of the Secretary, has endorsed her request to DA-7 office for validation, geo-tagging and submission of relevant information.

The Office of the Mayor is now coordinating closely with DA-7 regional office in the conduct of the validation and geo-tagging. — KBQ (FREEMAN)