DELAYED INFRA PROJECTS DERAILS PEACE EFFORTS

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. cautioned Malacañang that its peace campaign would achieve nothing due to the continuing delay of infrastructure projects, including the P2-billion road projects in Samar provinces, which the slow-poke Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) will fully undertake.

The senator stressed that insurgency in Samar will remain as long as the poverty situation in the area continues to be unalleviated.

"The delayed project will be a road to perdition instead of being a road to peace and prosperity. The potential of Eastern Visayas to become the country's premier tourism destination will remain a dream if the completion will continue to meet setbacks," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Revilla refers to the ongoing construction of the Lapinig-Jipapad and Lapinig-Arteche road projects, part of the government's P2-billion road project in Region VIII which aims to link Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, considered as turfs of the New People's Army (NPA).

President Gloria Arroyo ordered the DPWH the completion of the road projects by 2010 after an aerial inspection where she expressed dissatisfaction with the accomplishment of the 53rd Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army in the construction of Lapinig-Jipapad road portion. Reports said the President was inclined to have the DPWH undertake the said project.

Revilla lauded the President for directing the DPWH to finish the whole road project by 2010.

He reminded the DPWH that the President vowed to alleviate poverty in Region VIII which comprises the islands of Leyte , Samar and Biliran through the construction of infrastructure projects that would boost economic activities and improve the influx of tourists.

The three Eastern Visayas islands are famous for their natural wonders such as waterfalls, caves, pristine white beaches, dive sites, limestone and rock formations, and centuries-old churches and historical sites.

"Now that the project is fully in the hands of the DPWH, may it be finished as soon as possible. The people of Samar have long waited to have a road so they deliver their products conveniently and so that tourists can easier visit their place. Because of the track record of the DPWH, I am just afraid that we might be jumping out of the pan and straight into the fire, just like their other projects that met delays and anomalies," he explained.

The lawmaker further pointed out that fighting insurgency through building of infrastructure projects and anti-poverty programs is more effective and humane than a military offensive.

Revilla cited Reuters reports that said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had limited success in wiping out communist insurgents, putting it way behind the target of wiping out the rebellion by 2010.

A classified Army report seen by Reuters said the AFP is not winning enough against the NPA, which despite the breakdown of communism globally, continues to strike a chord with poor Filipinos.

Revilla said people in the remotest barangays will continue to be persuaded to support rebellion if they feel that they are neglected and misled by broken promises of the government. "Let's have an all out war against poverty. Let our indigent countrymen in the countryside know that we do care for them by uplifting their economic situation. Poverty is a lush ground for rebellion," he added.