The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started a 7.67-km PAMANA road project in Las Navas, Samar connecting nine (9) isolated barangays namely: Bugay, Guiguinta, Bugtusan, Mabini, Taylor, Victory, El Empon, Poponton, and Cuenco.
According to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar, the P180.42-million road project under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program of the government is expected to further develop these far-flung barangays thus promoting peace and order in these remote areas in Samar.
“We aim to provide high impact infrastructure projects for the people not only to enable easy access for the locals but also to facilitate economic development in these remotest areas,” added Secretary Villar.
This PAMANA road project, which is now on its second phase, includes the construction of three (3) bridges and an embankment protection structure.
With the completion of the project in 2020, residents of the isolated barangays of Las Navas will no longer use motorboats and bancas as primary mode of transport as travel time from Barangay Mabini to Barangay Bugay will be reduced from 45 minutes by boat to 15 minutes by land.
The PAMANA program spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) aims to provide government services and help improve peace and order in the areas through construction of community infrastructure and promotion of sustainable rural development.