Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday chided Rep. Julio Ledesma IV for claiming that the road concreting project in the hinterlands of Toboso, Negros Occidental, which is about to be started by the Army’s 542nd Engineering Construction Battalion, is a nationally-funded project.

Marañon, who led the groundbreaking for the 2.5-kilometer Polopangyan-Pasto-Salvacion road concreting project in Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso, said the presence of the congressman was not even felt or seen in this area.

He clarified that the road concreting project is funded by the provincial government, and not by the congressman.

The provincial government is spending P21.5 million for the 5.5-kilometer road concreting project, including the second phase, which will connect Crossing Onggoy in Brgy. Bug-ang and Sitio Mainit in Brgy. Magticol, where the presence of armed rebels and their supporters have been monitored by the Philippine Army.

Ledesma is supporting the gubernatorial bid of Vice-Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. in 2013 elections.

Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz, who accompanied Marañon and his vice-gubernatorial candidate, Board Member Melvin Ibañez, at the groundbreaking activity, said the funds for the project had been released a year ago.

De la Cruz, who is challenging Ledesma in the first district congressional race, said it was the provincial government which released the check directly to the Army engineers, for them to start the project as soon as possible.

Lt. Col. Ireneo Sebastian, 542nd ECB commander, yesterday said the road concreting project will spur development in the hinterlands of Toboso.

Lt. Col. Efren Morados, 62nd Infantry Battalion, whose troops are helping Army engineers in securing the project from being sabotaged, said this will limit the “playing field” of the New People’s Army rebels, who may face a hard time in recruiting new members, because of the development.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, also expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the provincial government in bringing infrastructure development in the country-sides, that helps lessen their work in addressing the insurgency problem.

More than a year ago, suspected rebels seized and burned a military outpost in Sitio Polopangyan, after killing the detachment commander, and carted away more than 20 high-powered firearms, military records show.

Lactao also encouraged the residents to help the Philippine Army in securing the infra project, for the Army engineers to hasten its completion before the rainy season starts next year.

As soon as the project is completed, Marañon said the farm-to-market road will lessen the transportation costs for farmers, who can then bring their products easily to the town proper.*GPB

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