LANDBANK, Abra town sign P60-M loan for dev’t projects

LAGAYAN, Abra – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Municipal Government of Lagayan in Abra province recently signed a P60-million loan to finance development projects to boost the local economy.

Facilitated by the LANDBANK Ilocos Sur Lending Center, the 15-year term loan will finance the rehabilitation of a municipal road between barangays Pulot and Poblacion, to significantly improve the movement of goods and the public within the municipality. The road serves as the main route linking all four of Lagayan’s barangays and connects the town to other adjacent municipalities.

The municipal road is seen to benefit Lagayan’s 4,617 residents, including 850 farmers and 625 fishers, and allows them to travel more safely and efficiently, especially when transporting agricultural goods to markets in nearby municipalities.

The road will also support increased tourism activity within the municipality. Local tourist attractions in Lagayan include the caves in Mount Gaco, Lusuac Sprint Resort, and whitewater tubing or bamboo rafting near Ar-Arbis Falls.

The P60-million LANDBANK term loan will also cover the purchase of a payloader to be used mainly in dredging the Palsuguan and Tineg rivers traversing Lagayan. This is part of the LGU’s efforts to prevent floods in rice fields and barangays caused by the natural build-up of debris and rising waters resulting from monsoon rains.

To further control seasonal flooding, the LGU will also use part of the LANDBANK loan to put up a drainage canal system in Barangay Poblacion to improve water drainage for the health and safety of residents.

“LANDBANK remains a ready and able partner of LGUs nationwide for various recovery and development initiatives. We will continue to serve local communities to spur economic activity, growth, and recovery,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Lagayan Mayor Edmarc L. Crisologo expressed his appreciation for LANDBANK’s financial support, which will also bankroll the construction of a Legislative Building and the rehabilitation of the municipality’s Evacuation Center to be able to accommodate more evacuees, especially during disasters. The Center will also serve as the operations hub for the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM).

“May we continue and strengthen our partnership towards the success of every Lagayano’s dream. On behalf of my constituents, I am in deep gratitude for the helping hand extended by LANDBANK and the realization of the vision, dreams, and aspirations that Lagayanos have been longing for a long time now,” said Mayor Crisologo.

As of end-October 2021, LANDBANK has extended P62.06 billion in outstanding loans to LGUs nationwide. Of this amount, P22.96 billion financed various agri-aqua projects, including P5.82 billion and P5.23 billion for transportation and health-care initiatives, respectively.