13M Filipinos benefit from P28-B barangay projects, DILG says
More than 13 million Filipinos in barangays previously affected by communist insurgency have benefited from over P28 billion in government-funded infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2026, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Wednesday, 11 November.
The department said 6,900 projects worth more than P28 billion have been undertaken nationwide under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), benefiting approximately 13.07 million residents.
Of these, 4,831 projects have been completed, while 411 remain under construction, 242 are undergoing procurement and 1,401 are in the pre-procurement stage.
Completed projects include 858 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, 689 classrooms, 689 water supply and sanitation systems, and 405 barangay health stations.
The program has also delivered 7,995 household electricity connections and 20,117 streetlights, according to the DILG.
Implemented under Executive Order No. 70, the SBDP aims to improve access to essential services in geographically isolated and conflict-affected communities as part of the government's efforts to address the causes of communist insurgency.
The DILG said the projects have improved transportation, education, health care, water access and electrification in previously underserved barangays.
In Barangay Sorioan, Ilocos Sur, village chief John Lumidao said a newly completed water system has eased difficulties faced by residents who previously had to wake up early and wait for scheduled water collection.
“Sa ngayon, hindi na kami mag-aalala na baka hindi ka makakaigib at hihintayin na namin ang schedule. Ang inuming tubig namin ay galing na rin sa refilling station para nakakasiguro kami sa kalinisan kalidad ng tubig,” Lumidao said.
Meanwhile, residents of Barangay Tubtuba in Tubo, Abra, have gained improved access to medical services through an SBDP-funded health station.
Midwife Brenda Poblete said the facility provides regular health monitoring, free medicines and monthly consultations for patients with noncommunicable diseases.
“Nagsasagawa din po kami ng monitoring para sa mga pangangailangan ng mental health patients,” Poblete said.
“Nakaka-avail din ang mga taga-barangay ng libreng gamot at buwanang check-up ng mga non-communicable disease (NCD) patients,” she added.
In Tabaco City, Albay, City Engineer Dindo Bongalosa said an electrification project covering 847.2 linear meters has benefited households, students, workers, motorists and local businesses.
“Ang mga nakikinabang po dito ay ang mga resident at kabahayan sa kahabaan ng 847.2 linear meters na sakop ng proyekto,” Bongalosa said.
The DILG said it would continue working with local governments to implement infrastructure projects and improve public service delivery in communities recovering from armed conflict.
The department also emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring that development funds translate into lasting improvements for residents.