Gen. Chan recommends
construction of road nets in Samar Islands
to address insurgency
|
MGen.
Mario Chan sharing to the media a presentation on the status of
the ongoing roads/bridges construction in San Jose de Buan,
Matuguinao, Samar and other areas in Leyte as well as a map of
the proposed circumferential/radial roads which he intends to
present to the RDC for approval.
(By Emy C. Bonifacio) |
By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
May
16, 2011
CATBALOGAN CITY – On
various gatherings, MGen Mario F. Chan of the 8ID, Philippine Army
based in Catbalogan City, Samar, has been heard to have mentioned that
the ‘military solution’ is not the primary solution to the insurgency
problem in Samar.
In a letter to Hon.
Carlos Jericho Petilla, Leyte Governor and the present Chair of the
Regional Peace and Order Council of Region 8 (RPOC8), Chan elaborated
on the need to undertake road constructions and rehabilitations in
specific areas of the Samar Island.
Chan cited as basis
for his request, the prevailing threat or security situation in the
Eastern Visayas Region. Particularly, he mentioned about the recent
armed encounters in the tri-boundaries of
Samar and the
recent attempted attack on the rig of the Energy Development
Corporation in Kananga, Leyte which has confirmed his apprehension
that the local terrorists in Region 8 are trying to escalate its armed
struggle.
The Commanding General
further confirmed that the CPP-NPA-NDF have laid out plans and
considers Region 8, particularly
Samar Island,
as its national priority.
A geographical
analysis would show that the establishment of strongholds in the
tri-boundaries of Samar Island is possible because of its
inaccessibility and remoteness, aside from its thick vegetation and
rugged terrain.
“As such, there is
total lack of developmental activities and absence of government
personalities that provide an ideal place for local terrorists to
grow, unhampered, unchecked and be significant and relevant to the
people living in nearby areas”, Chan’s letter continues.
An amount of 4.6
billion pesos that would cover 240.8 kms of road opening, repair and
rehabilitation was estimated by the DPWH.
Specifically, the road
openings for Gandara-Matuguinao and San Jose de Buan-Matuguinao Roads
and epair and rehabilitation of
Matuguinao-Las Navas Logging Road
were included.
It also included in
its estimates the construction of Silvino
Lobos-Las Navas Road;
Happy Valley, San Isidro-Bonifacio, Lope de Vega Road; Torjillo-E.
Duran, Bobon Road; Trangue-Mabini, Catarman Road; the repair and
rehabilitation of Cagpanit-an, Silvino Lobos- Silvino Lobos Road;
Simora-Palapag Road and Polangi-Trangue, Catarman Road and a road
opening for Las Navas-Jipapad Road.
As attachments to the
letter-request, were concrete maps, charts and pictures which were
gathered through an actual inspection made by Gen. Chan and party.
Gen. Chan firmly
believes that with the rehabilitation of circumferential and radial
road nets, the delivery of basic services from the local and national
government can be facilitated. This will provide mobility corridors
for security operations, disaster and calamity response. Moreover,
this is expected to alleviate the peace and order concerns and will
also spur developmental activities in the area.
Meanwhile, it was also
learned that the 8ID commander have requested the Central Command for
the realignment of the twelve (12) remaining KBP projects in Region 8
amounting to P90 million pesos to be used instead for the repair and
rehabilitation of the old municipal logging roads along the
tri-boundaries of Samar Island to be undertaken by the Army Engineers.
The same letter has
been forwarded to Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan-delos Santos, Northern
Samar Gov. Paul R. Daza and Eastern Samar Gov. Conrado Nicart Jr.
requesting for possible endorsement to the RPOC.
