AFP completes 1,750 development projects

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being busy addressing the country’s security threats, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still completed 1,750 of the government’s flagship development projects in 801 far-flung villages this year.

While their non-combat missions are largely unheard of, troops from the National Development and Support Command (Nadescom), a newly formed unit, finished their tasks to bring development to depressed villages under the government’s Kalayaan Barangay Project.

Last week, the military, led by AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado and Nadescom commander Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, flew to Culasi, Antique to turn over multi-million infrastructure and development projects built by soldiers in three remote barangays for local residents, mostly members of the New People’s Army under the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).

The RPA-ABB, a dominant rebel force in Western Visayas, has forged a peace agreement with the government.

“Let us maintain and take advantage of these government projects. Let us remember that we put our lives (at stake) for these projects. We must preserve and protect them,” an RPA-ABB leader in Panay told his men who gathered around Ibrado, Ochoa and other military leaders in Western Visayas.

The Culasi, Antique project is in the heart of NPA-controlled territory. The project includes farm-to-market roads, health centers, elementary schools, small water impounding facilities, and irrigation canals.

In Camarines Sur alone, 120 projects were set for completion in the area this year, with 43 percent ongoing, while the rest are either completed or yet to be started.

The KBP projects include the construction of school buildings, health centers, and water systems; the paving of farm-to-market roads; electrification systems; building of spillways and covered path-walks; and installation of street lights, among others. – Jaime Laude