Army engineers lead road rehab on far-flung critical areas

DAVAO CITY, Oct 31 (PIA) Top military officer of the Eastern Mindanao Command cited the need to improve the farm-to-market roads in far-flung areas with critical peace and order condition due to the presence of the rebels.

Lt. General Aurelio Baladad, commander of the EastMinCom said Army Engineers lead the rehabilitation of the road in Barangay Gupitan in Kapalong, Davao del Norte to guarantee that the problem on poor road condition is attended.

He said the road repair is done with the cooperation of the indigenous peoples in the area in order to protect the equipment and to ensure that the rehabilitation is done.

Baladad said even on areas where no contractor dares to do the road works because of the presence of rebels, Army Engineers take over to do the job.

“We are ready to pursue the job on road rehabilitation because the Army has our own engineers,” he said.

Baladad also mentioned the need to discuss further ways to protect the equipment of contractors who handle the flag-ship projects of government in far-flung areas.

He said it is impractical to provide a soldier for every equipment left on the construction site.

Baladad suggested to bring the equipment to a motor pool for protection.   

He also said the military through the peace and development outreach teams communicates with the indigenous peoples in order to prevent the exploitation of their tribe by the lawless elements.

Baladad observed the IPs are given the wrong information to stir dissatisfaction in their plight.

“In past, many lumads came down due to the lure of the being given rice.  It was the misinformation given for them to participate,” he said.

Baladad said this approach is no longer effective because of the lessons learned by many IPs who experienced hardships when they were told to evacuate to the city. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)