CATARMAN, Camiguin (PIA) — Improving safety, accessibility, and disaster preparedness in the municipality, the provincial government here and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 turned over new infrastructure projects to Catarman town, including 78 solar-powered street lights and the newly completed Panghiawan Evacuation Center, January 31.
“Malipayong gidawat sa katawhan kining mga imprastraktura isip dakong tabang nga maghatag kahayag, kasiguruhan, ug kaandam panahon sa emerhensiya, samtang naghatag usab og mas sayon nga access sa mga kasilinganang barangay,” said Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.
(The people gladly received these infrastructures as a great help in providing light, security, and preparedness during emergencies while also ensuring easier access to neighboring barangays.)
He reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing initiatives that enhance public convenience, safety, and overall development.
The installation of 78 solar-powered street lights covered multiple barangays in Catarman, with Barangay Panghiawan serving as the lead area alongside Alga, Bonbon, Bura, Catbac, Compol, Lawigan, Lloan, Looc, Mainit, Manduao, Poblacion, Sto. Nino, and Tangaro.
The project cost a total of P7.5 million, funded primarily through a grant from Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), with the community contributing P10,000. The installation began on November 15, 2024, and is expected to be completed by February 13, 2025.
The community also received the Panghiawan Evacuation Center, which serves as a safe shelter for residents during calamities. This project, made possible through collaborative efforts between the community, the local government of Panghiawan, the Barangay Development Council-Technical Working Group, and the Local Government of Catarman, was completed on December 23, 2024. The total project cost amounted to P10 million, coming from the DSWD-KALAHI-CIDSS grant, while the MLGU provided an in-kind counterpart of P50,000.
These projects were implemented under the KALAHI-CIDSS Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) Community-Driven Development Program of the DSWD, highlighting a participatory approach to local development.
“Ang CDD Bill nagtanyag nga gamitong usa ka nasyonal nga stratehiya ang Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, usa ka development strategy kon asa gipanghingusgan ang partisipasyon sa katawhan sa pag-ila sa mga problema sulod sa komunidad ug pagmugna sa solusyon niini pinaagi sa mga proyektong ipatuman sa lokalidad,” said DSWD-10 Assistant Regional Director for Administration Salmah Basher.
(The CDD Bill proposes to adopt the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach as a national strategy— a development strategy that emphasizes community participation in identifying local problems and creating solutions through projects implemented at the local level.)
Grateful for the evacuation center built in their area, Barangay Captain Romulo Siga said, “Dako kaayo og tabang sa barangay ilabina sa panahon sa mga kalamidad. Kini magamit namo para sa preemptive evacuation sa mga pamilya nga duol sa dagat ug naa ilawom sa kalubihan sanglit ang Panghiawan daplin sa dagat ug daghan pod nga tanom nga mga lubi.”
(This is a great help to the barangay, especially during disasters. We can use it for the preemptive evacuation of families living near the sea and under coconut trees since Panghiawan is located along the coast and has many coconut trees.)
He added that during disasters, the evacuation center will be available and can also be used for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) family development sessions (FDS), as well as meetings for fisherfolk, senior citizens, farmers, women, and youth in the barangay.
“Ang solar street lights dako kaayo og tabang sa community tungod kay sa ka gamay sa NTA (national tax allotment) sa barangay lisod mabutangan sa barangay street lights ang atong mga kadalanan kay layo sa poste sa kuryente. Sa pagkakaron, hayag na ang atong mga barangay roads tungod sa solar street lights ug dli napod hadlok kung maglakaw ang mga taw sa atong barangay kay hayag na,” Siga said.
(The solar street lights are a great help to the community because, due to the limited NTA of the barangay, it has been difficult to install street lights, especially in areas far from electric posts. Now, our barangay roads are well-lit because of the solar street lights, making it safer for people to walk around without fear.)
One of the residents, Mary Grim Lumacang, also shared her appreciation to the implementers of the projects, saying, “Ang Evacuation Center naay ma adtoan ang mga residente kung ingkaso naay mga katalagman nga nahitabo sama sa sunog, bagyo og uban pa og ang solar lights nga maoy gahatag og kahayag para kini sa seguridad sa mga tao nga mag-agi sa gabii labi pa kay ngitngit ang maong dapit og minus kaayo og mga balay.”
(The Evacuation Center provides a place for residents to go in case of disasters such as fires, typhoons, and others. The solar lights provide illumination to ensure the safety of people passing by at night, especially since the area is dark and has very few houses.)
Gov. Romualdo, Rep. Romualdo, Basher, and Catarman Mayor Kiterio Antonio Palarca II led the turnover ceremony, along with the barangay officials and other stakeholders. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
