TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar is continuing its efforts to support the national government’s peace-building initiatives.
Thus said Governor Sharee Ann Tan during her State of the Provincial Address on Sunday, August 11, coinciding with the 183rd Samar Day celebration held at the Tandaya Hall in Catbalogan City.
Tan said that her administration has provided P14.4 million in financial assistance and P5.5 million in housing project funding to former rebels as part of their reintegration program.
Gov. Tan shared that since 2020, a total of 873 former rebels have received financial assistance from the provincial government under the local integration program.
In addition to the financial aid, the provincial government has also allocated funds to local government units for housing projects intended for former rebels under the ‘Saad nga Balay’ program.
The recipient local government units of the Saad nga Balay program include San Jose de Buan, Calbiga, and Matuguinao.
In San Jose de Buan, the provincial government funded and turned over 10 houses to beneficiaries. Another 10 houses are under construction in Calbiga, while 30 houses are planned for construction in Matuguinao.
Tan added that with the ongoing implementation of road network projects connecting interior municipalities to the national highway, she expects the insurgency problem in Samar to come to an end.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
