Batac to prioritize rural dev’t projects this 2015

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Batac City—Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta here said they will prioritize rural development projects this year.

He said that in his last term as mayor, rural barangays would be the focus of the city government’s priority projects.

He stressed that he would concentrate on farm-to-market roads of rural barangays which he said should all be paved before his final term ends.

Second in line would the proposed Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) at Brgy. Sumader. This project has an estimated cost of P60 million, the same amount allocated for an earlier SWIP project at Brgy. Nagbacalan.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has already released its share of P29 million for the project and the remaining P31 million will come from the Batac government.

The SWIP project aims to help farmers groups who need irrigation for their farmlands.

Meanwhile, other projects lined up include the completion of the six market public buildings that need tiles, roll up doors, ladders, perimeter fences and electrical wirings.

The mayor also mentioned their efforts to acquire lots for their low cost housing project as well as a proposed covered gymnasium.

Mr. Nalupta also has high hopes that the southern portion of the Imelda Cultural Center would be done this year as it has been requested by Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda R. Marcos. The improvement will need the transfer of the basketball court in the said edifice.

The Batac mayor also mentioned their need for a master plan for a proposed sports complex in the city. The prime aim of this project is to encourage the youth to develop their sports skills.

In the health front, the city government is waiting for an assistance package from the European Union for the construction of a new rural health unit at Brgy. Baay.

Aside from this, the city government also expects the completion and formal opening of its lying-in clinic this year.

The city government is also preparing to commence the construction of community centers in the different barangays here.

The first phase of the City Hall extension with an allocated fund of P20 million is also expected to be completed early this year to give way for the start of the second phase.