Rebel-free villages to get P20 million each

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Seventeen barangays in Northern and Central Luzon that have been freed from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) will receive P20 million each in development assistance.

The 20-million government aid will be in the form of farm-to-market roads, classrooms, electrification projects, communal irrigation projects, health centers and water systems, according to the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

These development projects are apart from those that were programmed by other government agencies for these barangays.

Of the 17 barangays, six each are in Abra and Cagayan, two in Ilocos Sur and one each in Bulacan, Kalinga and Mountain Province.

“The government is fulfilling its promise to address issues on insurgency by providing support that will improve the quality of life in these communities,” Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Nolcom chief, said.

Burgos commended barangay officials and residents for heeding the call of the government to help end local armed conflict.

“They deserve the assistance for committing and dedicating themselves to solving the local armed conflict,” Burgos said

He encouraged the recipient-villages to sustain their efforts and continue supporting peace initiatives to prevent the NPAs from returning to their communities.

Burgos also urged all barangays nationwide to emulate the examples of the recipient-villages.