The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region said July 14 that it has turned over two access road subprojects, with total cost of P13,140,000, to the municipality of Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental.
The subprojects were implemented in barangays Calango and Mayabon, and aimed at concreting and improving critical access roads to enhance mobility, support local economic activities, and ensure faster, safer travel for residents.
To complement the financial framework, the subprojects were funded through a combination of Kalahi-CIDSS allocations, community, and local government contributions, the DSWD-NIR said.
About 190 households, or 675 residents, are expected to benefit from the newly-paved roads, and strengthen community resilience, foster local market connections, and bridge structural gaps in previously hard-to-reach agricultural areas.
The ceremonial turnover was led by DSWD-NIR OIC assistant regional director for Administration Erlyn Garcia, and deputy regional program manager John Christian Dumancas, with local government officials of Zamboanguita.
Meanwhile, the SWAD Satellite Office of DSWD-NIR was inaugurated in Bayawan City July 14, to bring social welfare services closer to communities in southern Negros Oriental.
Located along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion, Bayawan, the satellite office is expected to significantly improve the delivery of DSWD programs and services by providing faster, more accessible, and more efficient assistance to individuals and families, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sectors and those in crisis situations.
DSWD-NIR director Arwin Razo emphasized the agency’s commitment to making government services more accessible, particularly to communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“We really want to make our services accessible to the people. When you speak of accessibility, the program implementation or service delivery should not be confined to urban areas. This is now the realization of our dream,” he said.
The satellite office will serve not only residents of Bayawan but also the neighboring local government units in southern Negros Oriental. Through the facility, residents will no longer need to frequently travel to Dumaguete City to access DSWD services, reducing travel time, transportation costs, and the inconvenience of seeking government assistance, he added. ||
