In line with its Resettlement Action Plan and in keeping with its policy to ensure that no project-affected entities (PAEs) should be worse off after the implementation of the road project, MCA-P recently distributed the first batch of checks to PAEs in the municipality of Balangkayan in Eastern Samar. Balangkayan is  part of the 64.6 km long road in Contract Package 3 which MCA-P is bidding out this month and whose construction is expected to start in August.

Above photo shows the six (6) PAEs holding their facsimile checks presented by  MCC Resident Country Director Matt Bohn (6th from left), MCC Deputy Vice President for Compact Operations Tom Hurley (7th from left), Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda (9th from left), MCC Managing Director and CEO Marivic Anonueno (11th from left), MCA-P Environment and Social Assessment Director Criste Navida, and SNRDP Director Rudy Arias (third from left, partly hidden).

Couple Edgar and Caridad Gesite later opened an account at the Borongan Branch of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) with the assistance of DBP Vice President for Cash Management Thelma Maceda. It was the couple’s first time to have a bank account and to hold a passbook. Upon the guidance of MCA-P, Mr. and Mrs. Gesite decided to put their money in the bank for safekeeping and for better money management.