The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over P2-million worth of infrastructure projects to the municipality of Basco in Batanes to improve the economic conditions of farmer-beneficiaries, as well as, promote public health and proper hygiene.
Regional Director Atty. Marjorie P. Ayson said the infrastructure projects are implemented under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB).
The projects included community irrigation system composed of 8.6-meter x 9.95-m rain collector with 7.0-m x 4.4 x 358-m reservoir in Barangay Tuva, San Joaquin, which cost P1,895,336, and a 4-m x 4-m reinforce concrete shed with 4-m x 1.70-m comfort room for the farmers in Barangay Vayang, San Antonio, with a total cost of P473, 242.
“The rain collector along with the reinforce concrete shed and comfort room shows that DAR continues to reach out to our local chief executives (LCEs) so that by unity we can keep on helping our farmer beneficiaries develop their lives,” Ayson said.
The GPB, previously called Bottoms-Up Planning and Budgeting (BUB), was adopted as a strategy to identify various programs and projects for the development of poorest cities and municipalities in the country.
A memorandum was earlier signed between Director Ayson and the local government unit of Basco represented by Mayor Demetrius Paul Narag that led to the implementation of the said infrastructure projects.
“As indicated in the MOA, DAR is compelled for releasing funds, monitoring and inspection of project until it is completed and turned over to the beneficiaries. On the other hand, the LGU’s role is the maintenance of the projects,” Ayson said.
Posted By: Lynne Pingoy
