Gov. George Arnaiz called an emergency meeting yesterday of all mayors in Oriental Negros to catch up with the deadline for submitting their proposals for the opening of farm-to-market roads.

District engineer Rodrigo Catapusan of the Department of Public Works and Highways said that each local government had a share of P2 million from the P37 billion interest savings of national government debts due to the strengthening of the peso.

President Gloria Arroyo had ordered that the amount be distributed to all LGUs in opening new farm to market roads, he said.

Region 7 or central Visayas has an allocation of P6 billion which will be divided by four provinces, namely, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Oriental Negros.

Catapusan said each locality has to submit its listing today, because funding release is scheduled next week. The opening of farm-to-market roads should start in the middle of this month to be completed in mid-March, where Phase 2 of the project will also begin.

Also taken up during the mayors' emergency session was the submission of projects under the 20 percent development fund of the province, provincial engineer Susano Ruperto said.

These proposals will be submitted for final approval by the provincial development coordinating council, he said, adding that LGUs may opt to undertake the projects with the assistance of the provincial government.*JG

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