THE villages of Lahi, Siko-siko and Kamam-onan (Lasikam) complex of Gigaquit town of Surigao del Norte province were once a stronghold of the armed wing of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-New People's Army (NPA) in the 70s.
The prolonged government neglect had deprived the residents of more than 3,000 of sustained social services such as health and sanitation, food, agriculture, farm-to-market roads, potable water supply, insufficient power, lack of communication access and sustainable peace and security.
Residents who want to go to the provincial capitol in Surigao City had to travel by motorcycles, ride by horses or carabaos to cross the winding river to reach their destinations.
Last May 13, on board a Huey helicopter of the Philippine Air Force was Governor Sol F. Matugas who set foot at the isolated place for the first time and was accompanied by Major General Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro.
Matugas said: “This is my first time to set foot in Lasikam complex. The P400-million bridge project once completed will connect the concrete farm-to-market roads that can sustain the delivery of various social services to the interior part of Gigaquit town.”
Lactao also said that sustainable peace and order is inevitable in Lasikam complex since the people have gradually felt the presence of government services.
Lactao told the community that the soldiers of the 30th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army would provide and assist the local government unit of Gigaquit and various national line agencies to implement the needed social and infrastructure services.