In Barugo
(Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY- Barugo Mayor Maria Rosario ‘Macel’ Avestruz said that despite of the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-1) that hit their town, programs and projects intended for the people were not affected.
Avestruz made this remarks during her November 3 state of the municipality address (Soma) held at their public gymnasium.
According to her, COVID-19 affected not only the lives of the Barugonons as many establishments were forced to cease their operations due to the health pandemic.
“Almost eight months have passed since we started this war against COVID-19. And for the past eight months, many sectors of our community have been affected. The imposition of quarantine restrictions brought many our fellow Barugonons to economic collapse. Many were rendered jobless and businesses greatly affected,” Avestruz said in her message.
But despite of the adverse situation, the municipal government continue to work by providing programs and projects that benefited the people, she added.
“LGU-Barugo continued delivering basic services to its constituents. We stick to the frontlines and despite all the threats from COVID-19, we have ensured that programs and projects that will benefit Barugonons will continue to be implemented,” Avestruz said.
At present, the town has 136 COVID-19 cases since March of this year and of which only 45 are considered as active cases.
And for next year, the people of Barugo could expect more projects, both funded by the municipal government, and financial aid from other government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the town mayor said.
Among the projects that are in the pipeline for next year include completion of the town’s bus terminal; construction of canopy at the town public market; improvement of the town gymnasium; acquisition of more lots for the expansion of the public cemetery; construction of road networks, especially in far-flung barangays for easy and fast transportation of goods and services, among others.
“Gradually, we will narrow the long stretches of gravel roads of these barangays to improve access and transportation,” she said.
The municipal government under her administration will continue to provide financial assistance to the barangays for them to finance their chosen ‘felt-need programs and projects.’
She also said that repair and rehabilitation of road projects like the Barugo-San Miguel road will continue as well as the widening of the bridges in Canomantag and Himanglos; concreting of Barangay Roosevelt to Barangay Pitogo as well as the Minuhang-Balud and the Balud-Duka road which is part of the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Infrastructure Program for the town’s economic zone.
During her speech, Mayor Avestruz also gave thanks to other officials of the town like Vice Mayor Josephine Tiu and the entire members of the town council and other heads of various offices of the municipal government; Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla; and Reps. Lolita Karen Javier(2nd district) and Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel of the An Waray party-list group.
“To the people of Barugo, ladies and gentlemen who are present here today, I say to you, claim this victory. This is yours!”
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
