La castellana: Barangay Cabagna-an, a village at the foot of Kanlaon Volcano in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, has received a new public address (PA) system to enhance communication for its residents.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PA system was one of the initiatives turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as part of the "Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat" program. The turnover and inauguration were attended by 5th District Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo and Mayor A±ejo Nicor. Rep. Yulo emphasized the system's importance for facilitating faster announcements and managing emergencies.

The PA system is set to benefit 1,601 households, comprising 4,473 residents. It was implemented under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD) Cycle 1 Sub-Project.

The DSWD-Negros Island Region (NIR) reported that the community project provides Barangay Cabagna-an with a reliable communication channel for disseminating timely announcements, public advisories, emergency alerts, and other important information. The facility is expected to strengthen the community's ability to act on critical information, especially during emergencies and public safety situations.

Additionally, the DSWD-NIR highlighted that the system supports organized and timely communication, bridging the gap between information availability and residents' ability to respond effectively. The Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach is recognized globally for achieving service delivery, poverty reduction, and good governance outcomes. The KKB-CDD initiative aims to empower local communities through participatory planning in implementing small-scale development projects.