NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — The Catubig River, one of the major river networks in Northern Samar, flows through the communities of the Catubig Valley.
For generations, it has served as a vital source of water and livelihood for residents on both banks. Yet despite the benefits it provides, the river has also posed a significant challenge to connectivity.
Residents have long relied on small boats to transport passengers and goods across the river. A means of travel that becomes difficult and dangerous during the monsoon season and periods of flooding.
Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, the Local Government of Catubig, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar led by Governor Harris Ongchuan, with Cong. Edwin Ongchuan, key provincial and local officials, military and police officers, proudly held the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the construction of a 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 in Catubig, Northern Samar, recently.
The project is funded under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, a flagship peace and development initiative of the government.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) serves as the lead oversight and coordinating body for the PAMANA program, functioning as the central peace framework that manages the convergence of government projects in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities.
This project includes a 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝟮.𝟰𝟴-𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝟭𝟱𝟭-𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 that will connect poblacion Catubig to Brgy. Calingnan, thereby linking 27 geographically isolated and conflict-vulnerable barangays in the municipality.
Once completed, the infrastructure project will provide a safer, faster, and more efficient route for the movement of people, goods, and services to communities that have long faced transportation challenges.
It is also expected to boost local economic growth while improving access to essential government services, education, healthcare, peace and security development to the beneficiary communities.
This PAMANA project for the Local Government of Catubig underscores the vital role of quality infrastructure in advancing the development agenda of the Provincial Government of Northern Samar – building communities where essential services are more accessible, peace and prosperity coexist, and quality of life continues to improve.
