BUTUAN CITY – The P87,371, 699.88 infrastructure projects of the Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development (MinSSAD) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have contributed a lot to the development and economic progress of Dinagat Islands Province, said top provincial officials Saturday.

The local officials said the province, especially the farmers and those in far-flung areas are currently enjoying the MinSSAD and JICA projects now spread at various areas on the island.

Dinagat Islands Province Rep. Glenda Ecleo, Gov. Jade Ecleo and San Jose Mayor Benglen Ecleo expressed thanks to the MinSSAD, JICA, Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Agriculture for their deep concern on the welfare of this new Dinagat Islands Province.

“Our deepest gratitude to the said agencies that became instruments in bringing these projects to our province,” said Representative Ecleo.

She said that it has been observed in the previous years that while some places in the country have been developed economically and socially, this island had been left neglected. “People in this place suffer too much hardship in attaining their economic pursuits.”

“However, all these hardships finally ended because these mushrooming infrastructure projects are in place and more are still coming,” the governor also said.

Among the infrastructure projects now being enjoyed by the Dinagatnons include farm-to-market roads (6.68 kilometers) with a project cost of P29,260,937; school buildings (72 classrooms) with a project cost of P29,121,919.14; water system (Phases 1 and 2) P17,690,370; a multi-purpose building with a project cost of R1 million; seven barangay health stations costing P3,528,362.75; communal irrigation system with a cost of P6,483,130; and a post-harvest facility (solar dryer) worth P286,980.

Aside from these infrastructure projects, the municipal government of San Jose also received heavy equipment from MinSSAD to be used for the maintenance of these projects.