Maria Aurora, Aurora- The DILG Aurora Provincial Project Monitoring Team (PPMT) in coordination with the local functionaries of Maria Aurora, conducted a final inspection of the recently completed FY 2018 Locally-Funded Projects under Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) and Assistance to Municipalities (AM) Program on August 6, 2019.

The completed Gabion Type Flood Control Project is located at Diaat River, Brgy. Diaat with approximately 2,396 beneficiaries. The project, which was funded by DILG through the hard-earned PCF aims to protect the adjacent 678 hectares farmland of Barangay Diaat from flooding and mitigate the effect of the said hazard in the settlement areas. The project started on March 28, 2019 and declared completed on May 20, 2019.

"Ang proyektong ito ay makakatulong hindi lamang sa Brgy. Diaat kung hindi pati na rin sa kalapitang mga barangay. Mapoprotektahan nito ang agrikultura at masisigurado ang kaligtasan ng mga tao pagdating ng panahon ng tag- baha. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa isang proyekto na tunay na nararamdaman ng mga tao", said Hon. Merlita Larioza, Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Diaat.

The said project resulted to a 3-layer Gabion Cage (1x1x2) having a total length of 175 meters. It has paved way for the increase of farmers' planting activities and alleviate the possible effects of flooding. It is expected that the harvest particularly in palay will increase in the coming years. Residents from the adjoining Barangays of Malasin and San Joaquin also felt ease knowing that they are safe.

Meanwhile, the Rehabilitation of Barangay Bangco- Ramada Road, which was funded through the FY 2018 LGSF- AM Program is the continuation of the LGU's previously implemented FY 2017 ADM- Local Access Road Project. It has been prioritized by the Local Government Unit to facilitate a well- connected local road network between these two barangays and serve as an alternative route from nearby barangays in going to the Provincial Hospital located at Brgy. Reserva, Baler, Aurora.

The implementation of this project started on August 10, 2018 which resulted to the completion of 903.5 linear meters concrete pavement, with provision of drainage structure and slope protection, and concluded on May 30, 2019. This project also installed 340 cu.m. of grouted riprap to critical sides of the concrete pavement.

A total of 1,902 households are directly benefited from the completion of this road. It increased the accessibility of farm produce and inputs to the market. According to Hon. Narciso Necessito, Barangay Captain of Ramada, "Isang napakalaking tulong ng proyektong ito hindi lamang sa aming mga taga-Barangay Ramada at Bangco, pati na rin sa mga katabing barangay upang mapabilis ang transportasyon ng mga aning produkto at gayundin upang mabilis na makarating sa mga bayan ng Baler at Dipaculao".