DILG Region 5, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte and the Municipal Government of Labo, successfully conducted the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Level II Water System Project at Barangay Tigbinan, Labo, Camarines Norte on November 17, 2022.

The ₱4-million worth project came to fruition through the FY 2022 Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), a government initiative providing financial assistance to priority infrastructures, social services, and livelihood programs of beneficiary barangays.

The water system project topped the list of Barangay Tigbinan’s identified priority projects in their enhanced Barangay Development Plan (eBDP) which they previously formulated during the conduct of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP, or Baranggayan sa Bikol as localized by DILG Region 5). The eBDP is one of Baranggayan’s most valuable outputs and is regarded as one of the keys to continuous development. Encapsulating and ranking all the barangay’s most pressing issues with corresponding interventions, the eBDP is utilized by the DILG and partner National Government Agencies (NGAs) as a tool for identifying programs and projects that are in need of immediate funding and implementation.

Soon after the Baranggayan conduct, one of the projects in Barangay Tigbinan’s eBDP was enlisted for funding under the FY 2022 SBDP, along with over 300 other projects from 280 beneficiaries in Bicol region.

“Ang proyektong ito [patubig] ay napagkasunduan at nabuo sa pinagsama-samang ideya at suhestiyon ng mga kalalakihan at kababaihan sa aming barangay. Ito po ay mapapakinabangan ng maraming mamamayan ng Barangay Tigbinan,” Punong Barangay Liezel A. Flores shared, highlighting the collaborative participation of Barangay Tigbinan’s community members in the project selection process, and emphasizing the project’s impact on their locality. PB Flores also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the national government and the concerned agencies for making their much-needed and long-desired water system project come to fruition.

Engr. Rene V. Valera, OPDS Assistant Director and LEO70 PMO Head, extended DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr’s warmest congratulations to the residents of Barangay Tigbinan for this historic milestone. “Sana po, sa darating panahon na naipatayo na ang patubig, ito po ay mapangalagaan sa kapakinabangan natin at ng susunod na henerasyon,” he added.

DILG 5 Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober Jr., CESO V also expressed his optimism for the continuous development of Barangay Tigbinan. “As a way forward, we hope that this water facility will reach Level III in the future for our residents to enjoy direct access to potable water within the comforts of their own households,” RD Escober remarked.

The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte and Municipal Government of Labo represented by Vice-Governor Hon. Joseph V. Ascutia and Municipal Mayor Hon. Severino “Jojo” H. Francisco Jr., respectively, also delivered their congratulatory messages and expressed their commitment to providing continuous support to their constituents.

Following the onsite groundbreaking activities, the attendees proceeded to Labo Convention Center for the ceremonial groundbreaking and unveiling of the other 17 FY 2022 SBDP Projects in the Municipality of Labo. Further, DILG Camarines Norte headed by Provincial Director Ray B. Caceres, CESO V awarded Certificates of appreciation to partner NGAs for their unwavering support of DILG programs and for their active participation in the conduct of the Baranggayan across the province.

In attendance during the said activities were DILG Region 5 Field Officers and Engineers; and heads and representatives of partner NGAs and security cluster. The groundbreaking was also witnessed by officials and locals from the Municipality of Labo and Barangay Tigbinan.