Bringing government to the ‘last frontier’

By Dolly Yasa

 

MOISES PADILLA, Negros Occ. – Residents in Sitio Agogolo in Barangay Macagahay, the last and farthest sitio and at the boundary between Negros Oriental and Occidental, got a taste of local government efforts to on Wednesday.

Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, in partnership with several private organizations, traversed the rugged terrain and 6.7-kilometer road to sitio Agogolo.

Where once there was only a wild trail used by the residents which was even impassable for the habal-habal or motorcycle, the area now has a passable road that can accommodate bigger vehicles.

Garcia said the road was one of the requests of the sitio during a dialogue in the past months

She said they borrowed heavy equipment from the provincial government while the local government provided gasoline as counterpart and in 53 days the road was completed.

Village chief Neccesito said the road is vital for the residents as they can now bring their produce to the barangay proper and even to the poblacion.

He also said that even the teachers at the elementary school will no longer have to walk for miles to and from the barangay proper.

Yulo, together with Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor and Councilor Vincent Garcia, also brought sacks of rice and solar panels for the residents.

Representatives from Toyota Group, Spada, and Ironman brought fried chicken, ice cream, and slippers for the hundreds of students.

Yulo encouraged the residents to plant fruit trees in the area to secure their water source and to prevent flashfloods.

She said the residents can now plant sugarcane as the area is now accessible because of the road.

Villaflor said it was the first time that a road was constructed at sitio Agogolo.

Gerald Alba of Zma-1 Construction who organized the private groups that partnered with the local government, said that it is the advocacy of their group to join hands with the LGUs in reaching out to far flung areas and let the  residents feel the presence of the government.