PARACELIS, Mountain Province (PIA) — Communities across Mountain Province’s nine municipalities are set to benefit from P657 million in peace and development projects aimed at improving infrastructure, connectivity, and access to markets, services, and economic opportunities, particularly through farm-to-market roads (FMRs).
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento led the groundbreaking and turnover of project funds on September 11, 2026, in Paracelis, Mountain Province.
FMR projects account for a significant portion of the funding and are expected to improve the transport of agricultural products from production areas to trading centers while giving farmers and communities better access to markets and services.
Sabangan municipality received the largest allocation at P165 million, followed by Besao with P100 million and Paracelis with P95 million. Other allocations are P85M for Bauko, P65M for Tadian, P60M for Sagada, P50M for Bontoc, P30M for Barlig, and P7 million for Sadanga.
With projects distributed across all nine municipalities, the P657-million allocation is expected to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity while improving communities’ access to markets, services, and livelihood opportunities.
In his welcome remarks, Paracelis Mayor Ayangwa thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Sec. Sarmiento for choosing the municipality as the venue for the fund turnover, saying the event recognizes Paracelis’ commitment to peace and development.
Sarmiento reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to ensuring that communities, particularly those in geographically isolated areas, benefit from the gains of peace through concrete development interventions.
In a Facebook post, the Municipality of Besao expressed gratitude to OPAPRU for the assistance.
“The Besao LGU extends its sincere gratitude to OPAPRU Secretary Sarmiento and the national government for this significant support to the municipality’s infrastructure development,” the post read.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Barlig said funding for the Lias Farm-to-Market Road is expected to improve mobility and transportation for residents and farmers in the area.
“With the project, farmers are anticipated to have better access to markets, allowing them to transport their agricultural products more efficiently and eventually support increased economic opportunities for the community,” the LGU shared.
With projects distributed across all nine municipalities, the ?657-million allocation is expected to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity while improving communities’ access to markets, services, and livelihood opportunities. **JDP/VJLT – PIA-CAR, Mountain Province) (with reports from the Municipality of Paracelis)
