BUTUAN CITY – The engineering brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) has set in place the P4.5 million “Kalayaan sa Barangay Program” (KBP) in far-flung areas in Mindanao.

The funding of the KBP project will go to Del Monte, Sto. Nino and El Salvador, all in New Corella in Davao region.

The project included village electrification, farm-to-market roads, school buildings, and water supply system. Personnel of the 52nd Engineering Construction Battalion of the 534th Engineering Construction Brigade will construct these projects.

The same unit also turnover some of their completed projects in New Corella.

Meanwhile, government services rained down in New Corella through the Peace Caravan that the Regional KALAHI Convergence Group (RKCG) together with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) conducted on Friday.

Southern Mindanao Presidential Consultant for Special Projects Madeline D. Marfori said the activity is in line with the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.

The caravan seeks to address the immediate needs of conflict-affected communities through providing a convergence of social and economic services of various government line agencies.

The caravan was participated in by all field units spearheaded by the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and “Task Force Raptor” Deputy Commander in New Corella. Newly assumed 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Eduardo del Rosario said the peace caravan was also placed under the KBP.

Most areas in New Corella had already been cleared of communist insurgency and they have now shifted their support to the government, Del Rosario said.

"This is a convergence of confidence-building efforts to enhance peace and development in the area,” added Del Rosario.

Also included during the peace caravan were free medical and dental services as well as access to rabies vaccination services and distribution of seeds and seedlings, fingerlings and other goods and other services that were extended by other concerned government agencies.

Maj. Gen. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, commanding general of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said that more services will be coming to the far-flung villages in the area.