The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII-Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) tackled the persistent implementation issues faced by projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program of the national government. This was during a special meeting on 14 December 2020 via Zoom.

The Committee pushed for increased funding support to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to enable the latter to hire technical staff and driver and purchase a vehicle to help in monitoring the various PAMANA projects in the region.

Currently, OPAPP’s presence in the region is limited to only one personnel – the Regional Manager, Ms. Imelda Bonifacio – who single-handedly performs all the day-to-day tasks of the agency, especially going around the different areas to inspect the ongoing PAMANA projects.

In the same meeting, the RPMC also passed RPMC VIII Resolution No. 16, s. 2020, requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure that funds for the construction of the Bugay-Guiguinta-Bugtusan-Mabini-Taylor-Victory-El Empon-Poponton-Cuenco Road in Las Navas, Northern Samar, which is to be terminated, be utilized for re-bidding of the project. This way, the road will still be completed.

Additionally, the Committee also asked for help from the Office of Congresswoman Sharee Ann T. Tan of the Second District of Samar and the DPWH to allocate funds for the completion of a 5-kilometer (km) gap in the Brgy. Lokilokon-Paranas-Lawaan-Concepcion-Canligues-Paco-Calapi-Hinica-An-Caranas-Babaclayon-Hiduroma-Hilumot-San Jose De Buan-Canaponte- San Nicolas-Sitio- Salvacion- Aguingayan- Gusa Road in Samar Province.

The gap is not covered by the project due to lack of funds so additional funding must be secured to ensure the completion of the said road network for the benefit of the community.

The resolutions and recommendations of the RDC VIII-RPMC were approved and endorsed by the RDC VIII Full Council to the concerned entities for appropriate action.

Article and Photos by:  Knulp Aseo/Ana Rose R. Magdalaga, PMED