BUILD! BUILD! BUILD | Army Inspects Newly Constructed Infrastructure Project in Far-Flung Barangay

To ensure development and progress, the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) inspected the newly constructed farm-to-market road (FMR) and hanging bridge in the far-flung barangay of Duelic in Midsalip town, Zamboanga del Sur.

The residents and the communities in and around Barangay Duelic heavily rely on farming and agriculture. Moreover, the construction and implementation of said infrastructure projects which started last September 6, 2020 will now translate to the delivery of basic and government services to the barangay such as health, education, and job opportunities, among others. In a statement, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor J. Yu said that the construction of roads will lead to development.

“Where there is road, there is progress. We have to build roads first, then progress will surely follow,” said Gov. Yu.

Also, 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera noted that the infrastructure projects will both improve the lives of the community and significantly empower the communities and completely cut off their affiliations with Communist-NPA Terrorists.

“This project will prevent the NPA’s recovery of their mass bases and deny them of community support in Barangay Duelic and adjacent barangays.

This infrastructure projects will definitely sustain an insurgency-free province,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.Barangay Duelic, an ELCAC barangay included in the Barangay Development Program (BDP), was decleared “cleared” of CPP-NPA Terrorist influence on April 29, 2019.

This activity is part of the 53IB’s drive to pursue transformation to become a world class Army that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR).