DAR exec lectures politicians
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Assistant Secretary Kashmir Leyretana lectured the politicians on the importance of unity towards development and progress specifically on the implementation of the department's main thrust which is rural development.
Leyretana was in the Sto-Rosario, Ajuy Monday for the turn over of some P29 million worth of infrastructure which includes farm-to-market roads and construction of overflow bridge in the towns of Ajuy and Concepcion. The infrastructure projects are under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Asian Development Bank (ADB)-Agrarian Reform Community Projects.
In his speech, Leyretana reminded the town officials on the need to cooperate for the development of each locality. The poor farmers are the ones suffering at the end of the day. "Political bickerings can not help, let's forget about politics," Leyretana said.
At the time of the turn-over rites, the politicians who were around were Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas, Concepcion Vice Mayor Betsy Salcedo, Board Member Jun-Jun Tupas, 5th district Representative Rolex Suplico, Board Member Eric Barbosa and Board Member Angel Briones. There were also several Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay officials.
Leyretana stressed before the attendees that the mandate of his department is "to help poor farmer beneficiaries." And politics should not in any way affect the delivery of the basic services to the people particularly on the implementation of rural development projects.
Leyretana whose traces his roots from Iloilo said, politicians should set aside politics and join hands for the betterment of the area. Politicians are fond of mudslinging. "We should remember, politics is also dangerous to health," he laughingly said.
When asked during an interview, Leyretana did not elaborate on whether politics hampered the implementation of the department's rural development projects. He, however said "they have troubles in the documentation" of the sources of funds for projects.
The delay is also caused by the non-availability of fund as the counterpart of the local government unit. The sources of funds are loans, grants and donations. The department is also always "on time" in the implementation of its project and incurred no slippage, he said.