Tukanalipao, Mamasapano will be under the government's eye again after the issue concerning the 44 SAF Commandos who bravely died in their line of duty last January. This time, Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (OPAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, with various government officials, went there on April 16, 2015, to oversee and to jumpstart a new NIA project called the Kabulnan River Irrigation System (KRIS)-Mamasapano Extension Project.
OPAFSAM Secretary Kiko Pangilinan addresses the locals and other officials and guests during the presentation of the Kabulnan River Irrigation System (KRIS)-Mamasapano Extension Project on April 16, 2015 at Brgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano. With him in the photo are NIA Administrator Florencio Padernal and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman.
Secretary Pangilinan, together with NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and Deputy Administrator Estrella E. Icasiano, met initially with ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman before visiting Tukanalipao to launch the new irrigation project that will benefit the farmers. "If the people have good harvest, we can have a sound economy," said Secretary Francis Pangilinan. One hundred and thirty hectares of farm lands covering 99 families will benefit from this peace project.
Secretary Pangilinan also said that this project will help them "uplift their living conditions" after completion. This P50M-project's target completion is on December 31, 2015.
On the other hand, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be replacing the bamboo bridge that the 44 SAF Commandos crossed during their retreat with a concrete wider bridge. This convergence initiative aims to replace the "symbol" of poverty with modernity in Mamasapano and the neighboring areas. - NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff.
NIA Region 12 Manager Ali Satol presents the particulars of the KRIS-Mamasapano Extension Project.
The delegates cross the bamboo bridge will be soon replaced with concrete through DPWH's initiative.
