Cagayan: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa – National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO), has inaugurated a series of community-building projects in Cagayan province from Nov. 26 to 28 that aim to strengthen the mobility, safety, livelihood, and resilience across several barangays.
According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) stated that the newly completed projects in Cagayan Valley represent the department’s commitment to uplifting communities, especially in the geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). Tanjusay emphasized that the construction of roads, classrooms, and child development centers is not just about infrastructure but about building hope, dignity, and opportunity.
Residents of Barangay Cabatacan West in Lasam town celebrated the turnover of their newly concreted barangay access road on Nov. 26. The new road resolves the community’s long-standing issue of muddy and hazardous paths that were nearly impassable during severe weather conditions. Tanjusay highlighted that the road improvement facilitates easier transport of agricultural produce, safer travel for children to school, and reliable access to emergency services.
In another initiative, the DSWD’s PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program inaugurated a single-barrel box culvert with a retaining wall in Barangay Asinga-via, Baggao on Nov. 28. This structure is designed to withstand frequent flooding and soil erosion, ensuring consistent and safe passage for residents during the rainy season and maintaining the flow of essential goods and services.
On the same day, the PAMANA Program also conducted the payout of cash grants to 14 People’s Organizations (POs) in San Jose town. Each organization received a PHP300,000 seed capital fund to boost community-based livelihood initiatives, expand economic opportunities, and promote sustained peace and development.
Additional developments included the turnover of a newly constructed concrete access road and a classroom facility in Barangay Sta. Clara, Gonzaga. These infrastructures are intended to improve access to education, livelihood opportunities, and basic social services for residents. During the event, three more people’s organizations received PHP300,000 each in seed capital to support new livelihood projects.
The week-long inauguration series concluded with the opening of a new child development center in Barangay Casambalangan in Sta. Ana town. The center is equipped to support early childhood learning and development, offering a safe environment for cognitive and emotional growth.
The DSWD’s initiatives in these communities highlight the power of community-driven development and the positive impact of empowering and supporting residents. Tanjusay reiterated the department’s dedication to ensuring inclusive growth and lasting peace in remote and underserved areas, with these projects serving as concrete evidence of progress and hope for future generations.
