P397-M road projects a reward for good governance

TAGUM CITY May 17- Davao del Norte will get P397-million worth of connectivity projects to beef up its capacity to build and improve more roads and keep its good governance initiatives.

The province will receive the allocation as one of the pilot provinces of the scaled-up Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan ang Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) program under the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The amount is included in the proposed budget for the program next year amounting to P39 billion.

In their joint letter to Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Interior and local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento assured the funds will be released directly to the province.

The two secretaries praised Governor Rodolfo del Rosario’s no-nonsense leadership, noting his committed involvement in advancing the principles of good governance and inclusive growth.

“Your accomplishments are proof that transparent, accountable and empowering leadership can bring the country to a confident future, where no Filipino is left behind,” they said.

Del Rosario welcomed this development, saying the fund is a big boost to rev up the development momentum of the province.

“Our pursuit of good governance has given us the key to access this huge amount from the national government,” he said.

Davao del Norte is among the pilot provinces of the Kalsada program, receiving an allocation of P42 million for this year’s initial implementation.

The program is an offshoot of the Provincial Road Management Facility funded by the Australian government under the Department of Interior and Local Government, which ended last year.

Del Rosario is among the lead governors who lobbied for the expansion of the PRMF to push for good governance initiatives that enable local governments to perform better in the delivery of basic services.

Davao del Norte was among the ten PRMF recipient provinces in the country, where the project significantly improved its road network to drive economic growth.

The province also benefitted from the crucial local reforms brought about by the project valuing the principles of performance, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. (Noel Baguio/PIO)