P56M Infra Projects For Aklan ARC

"More than 10 years ago today, I pledged never to return to Barangay Tag-osip which is unreachable to vehicles except motorcycles unless something good will come out of the commitment of CARP. . . Today, with the onset of CARPER (CARP Extension with Reforms), also known as RA 9700, we are preparing to implement every Buruanganons dream of reaching the far-flung barangay of Tag-osip" according to Atty. Daniel Martelino of DAR-Aklan

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Aklan facilitated the validation by the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program (ARISP) III of the proposed projects in the agrarian reform communities in Buruanga, Aklan last November 4-6, 2009.

The validation team was headed by Engr. Imelda G. Lamboon, Mr. Jun Mutsomoto (Senior Infrastructure Engineer), Mr. Tomoki Nakamura (Institutional Development Expert) and Engr. Rolando Maloles (Rural Infrastructure Engineer);

The Regional Project Management Office was led by Regional Director Alexis M. Arsenal and the Aklan Provincial Project Management Office headed by Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino;

Regional and provincial representatives of the National Irrigation Administration and from the Provincial District Office of the DPWH were also present to validate the projects.

The site inspection of the proposed infrastructure development projects includes one (1) irrigation project, three (3) road projects, and one (1) potable water system project.

The farm-to-market road recommended for funding is the 5.4 Km. concreting of the El-Progreso – Tag-osip Road from Poblacion, Buruanga with a 24 Linear Meter concrete bridge at a projected cost of P30 million. Counterpart from the LGU would be the rehabilitation of two (2) roads namely the 2.1 km Balusbos-Habana-Cabugan Road and the 2.7 km. Nazareth-El Progreso Road.

The rehabilitation of Buruanga–Habana Com-munal Irrigation System with a service area of 260 hectares included the rehabilitation of the diversion dam and concrete lining of main canals with the Municipal LGU and Buruanga Irrigator’s Service Association jointly managing and operating the project. The project costs P26M. LGU has also committed P5 million equity for canal lining, right of way plus organization and management.

Another project is the Habana Potable Water System that will benefit 287 unserved households of the seven Sitios of Barangay Habana. The Municipal and Barangay LGUs committed to jointly manage the project.

Institutional components such as the strengthening of the Tag-osip – El Progreso ARBs MPC will be facilitated while the improvement of the production and marketing system for rice and high value crops will be enhanced./MP