762 villages in Bicol benefit from P3.4-B projects under DILG program

LEGAZPI: The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Bicol (DILG-5) said on Tuesday a total of 762 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) in Bicol have benefited from the PHP3.4 billion allocated fund for the implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) under the Marcos administration. During the "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" at DILG's regional office here, DILG Regional Director Arnaldo Escober said that since 2022, a total of 934 projects have been implemented under the program, including the construction of farm-to-market roads, water and sanitation systems, barangay health stations, rural electrification, and school buildings. "Mula sa pag monitor at evaluate ng ating mga LGUs (local government units), hanggang sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng capacity interventions at technical assistance sa ating mga local officials, kaisa rin ang departamento sa paglalayong wakasan ang armadong digmaan, insurhensiya at magkaroon ng komprehensibong pag-unlad para sa ating kapayapaan (From monitoring and evaluating our LGUs to continuing to provide capacity interventions and technical assistance to our local officials, the department is also one in aiming to end armed war, insurgency, and having a comprehensive development for our peace," Escober said. GIDAs were chosen after DILG-Bicol conducted consultations and dialogues with officials and residents of far-flung areas that were formerly conflict-affected. In 2022, the program reached 280 GIDA barangays with an allocation of PHP1.12 billion. Of the 343 projects, the largest share was assigned to the construction of farm-to-market roads for an additional 39.33 kilometers of paved road, irrigation projects or water and sanitation systems, health stations, rural electrification, and school buildings. In 2023, SBDP reached 261 GIDA barangays with 365 projects and an allocated fund of PHP1.7 billion. Escober said that for 2024, at least 221 GIDA villages have been inspected by DILG-Bicol, with a corresponding PHP552.5-million allocation for 226 projects. "The funds have already been transferred to LGUs and construction can be started anytime. About 226 barangays will be beneficiaries of SBDP this year, 2024," he said. Escober said the successful implementation of the SBDP in recent years has paved the way to continue the program in 2025. "The SBDP 2025 has a total number of 39 projects in Bicol. It is estimated that PHP200 million is for priority projects such as water and sanitation services, followed by farm-to-market roads, rural electrification, health stations, and school buildings," he added. Source: Philippines News Agency