CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA)- -The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 2 recently awarded P 7,500,000 worth of road and drainage canal construction projects in four barangays of Maddela town of Quirino province under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-Asa Program (BP2P).

Barangays Cabaruan, San Dionisio 1, San Pedro, at Villa Hermoza Sur were given a road concreting project while Poblacion Sur was given construction of a drainage canal project. 

The projects have P7,709,933, of which P7,500,000 is from  KALAHI-CIDSS, and  P209,933 came from the contribution of the barangay beneficiaries.

DSWD Regional Director Lucia Alan said the provision of the projects is aimed at strengthening the participation of the people in the implementation of projects for the improvement of communities. 

“The concreting of roads in four barangays resulted in safer travel and improved agricultural productivity of the residents,” Alan said noting that they used to be rugged and muddy roads during the rainy season causing too much inconvenience and danger among the residents, travelers, and students who are regularly using the roads. 

On the other hand, the drainage canal in Poblacion Sur has relieved the residents from floods. 

“Before, the residents experienced frequent floods which destroyed their homes and other properties,” Alan added.

The DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS is an empowerment program that provides people the opportunity to participate in the implementation of projects, from project identification, prioritization, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and ensuring the sustainability of the project.

According to Leonardo M. Ramos, a community volunteer, the cooperation and participation of the community are vital to the faster completion of the projects. 

“Through the community-driven development ng KALAHI-CIDSS, we learn how to craft and implement plans and the chance to take part in the implementation,” Ramos said.

The turnover ceremony was attended by some local officials, DSWD, and the residents of the five barangays that benefited from the projects. (OTB/TCB/PIA Quirino)