DUMAGUETE CITY, March 12 -- A PHP 120-billion project that would connect at least three towns in Negros Oriental to a former rebel-infested Tamlang Valley is seen to pave the way for progress and development, an official said Monday.

Alejandro Rafal, head of the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) in Negros Oriental, told the Philippine News Agency Monday that the project has sought funding from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

The multi-billion project includes two farm-to-market road networks connecting Barangay Datagon in Pamplona town to Barangay Dobdob in Valencia and from Sta. Catalina town to Dobdob.

The connecting road will pass through Tamlang Valley, once ...