CONTINUING PROGRESS: BDP Projects Break Ground in ZamboSur

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies of four (4) Barangay Development Program (BDP) Projects of the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ZDS PTF-ELCAC) yesterday, October 15, held in the Municipalities of Lapuyan, San Miguel, Guipos, and Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

The BDP is the flagship program of ELCAC which was conceptualized to finally address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to communities in need.

In his statement, Zamboanga del Sur Governor and PTF-ELCAC Chairperson Gov. Victor J. Yu said that these BDP projects, most of which are Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs), mark the beginning of progress in the said towns.

“Where there is road, there is progress. The people are now happy that after a very long time, the government is now finally here addressing the concerns of the community,” said Gov. Yu.Also in a statement, 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said the BDP projects will form part of the government’s sustainment efforts to sustain the peace and order in Zamboanga del Sur.

“These BDP projects, most are FMRs, will translate to delivery of basic services to the community such as health, education, job opportunities, and increased income. Knowing that the Government is here, these BDP projects will sustain the peace and development efforts of the government,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

The BDP Projects that broke ground were as follows:

1. Lapuyan:Construction/Concreting of Purok 1, Barangay San Jose Road, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.

2. San MiguelConcreting of Local Access Road from Purok Il to Purok IV, Barangay Concepcion, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

3. GuiposConcreting of Barangay Road from Purok IV to Purok IA at 1.6km, Barangay Datagan, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

4. Lakewood Concreting of Barangay Road at Purok 2 to Purok 4, Sitio Lanayan (River Near School Site) 4M width, 0.20M THK road & 1.5M Shoulder cach side from Purok 2 to Purok 4, Barangay Gasa, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

The Groundbreaking Ceremonies were also attended by Hon. Joel Sulong for the BDP Project in Barangay San Jose, Lapuyan; Hon. Ex D. Ocapan for the BDP Project in Barangay Concepcion, San Miguel; Hon. Junevell Oraiz Lami-ing for the BDP Project in Barangay Datagan, Guipos; and Hon. Domingo Mirrar for the BDP Project in Barangay Gasa, Lakewood; Zamboanga del Sur Youth Movement President Victoria Yu; DILG-IX LGMED Chief Mr. Jose Ruel Trobanos; 53IB Civil-Military Operations Officer 2Lt. George Yu Jr; 53IB Charlie Company Executive Officer 2Lt. Magno Relado; Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Engineer Antonio Laurenciana; and 547 Engineer Battalion (547EBn) Executive Officer Maj. Aclo.