BAKUN, Benguet – Benguet Caretaker Congressman and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. Eric Go Yap assured residents living in the remote villages of Kayapa in this municipality and Tacadang, Kibungan that initial funds had been provided for the opening of the road networks leading to their places.
Yap, who chairs the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, stated during his recent visit in the municipality that residents of Barangay Kayapa will no longer have to go through the circuitous route passing through Ilocos Sur before reaching their place because the planned road will be opened from the town proper.
He informed provincial officials led by Gov. Melchor Diclas and Bakun municipal officials headed by Mayor Bill Raymundo that he provided for half of the required funding support for the proposed road opening project and he will try his best to source out more funds for the possible completion of the project within the next two years.
Congressman Yap and his entourage motored to Barangay Gambang recently to inaugurate the construction of the Gakian Bridge that has a project cost amounting to P104.8 million included in the government’s national expenditure program for this year.
The lawmaker underscored that provincial and municipal officials decided to set aside their political affiliations to work together for the overall growth and development of Benguet though the basic guidepost of United Benguet for the province to achieve the development that will bring it to greater heights and for it to be known as not only the country’s Salad Bowl, but also a prime ecotourism destination.
He rallied concerned sectors in the province to join the United Benguet team in propelling the growth and development of the province to help improve the lives of the people and the accessibility to the interior parts of the different municipalities that will be pivotal in spurring economic activities as sustainable sources of livelihood of the people.
While the House of Representatives is still in its regular session break, Yap is making the rounds in the different municipalities to consult with the local officials and concerned sectors on their priority needs for possible linkages with the various government agencies for the provision of support services, among others, to address issues and concerns raised.
According to him, the unity and cooperation of the local officials and the concerned sectors down to the barangay level is vital in sustaining the growth and development of the province, especially during these difficult times caused by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, as it is important for the people to be resilient and recover from the heavy impact of the crisis to their employment and sources of livelihood.
He emphasized that his goal as the province’s legislative caretaker is to make Benguet known as the country’s vegetable and ecotourism haven that is worthy of being toured and developed. By HENT