Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 5, through its Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU), inaugurated eight FY 2023 LGSF-SBDP Projects in the Municipalities San Miguel and Virac on March 15, 2024.

Barangays of Balatohan, J.M. Alberto, Kilikilihan, Pagsangahan and San Marcos of LGU San Miguel were allocated funds for 1) Road Concreting and rehabilitation of Local Access Roads, 2) Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Farm-to-Market Road, 3) Rehabilitation of Level III Water Supply System, while in Barangay Danicop of LGU Virac prioritized construction of two-storey Health Station Project. Also, during the inauguration program, it was mentioned that an ongoing project of farm-to-market road is set in Barangay Tobrehon in LGU San Miguel.

The ceremony was graced by Provincial Governor Joseph C. Cua’s represented by Vice Governor Peter C. Cua, DILG 5 Regional Director Arnaldo E. Escober Jr., CESO V, Assistant Regional Director Jhoaden G. Lucero, CESO V, DILG Catanduanes Provincial Director Uldarico S. Razal Jr., CESO V, PDMU Chief LGOO V James Edward Pecson, Engineer IV Armando Tanael, and DILG 5 Field Officers. The inauguration was also witnessed by officials from San Miguel and Virac LGUs and barangay beneficiaries.

The SBDP is a government initiative which aims to provide barangays situated in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) their much-needed infrastructures and social projects.

The inauguration ceremony serves as a significant milestone, not just celebrating the culmination and execution of projects for the FY 2023, but also symbolizing a significant step forward for these barangays in their journey towards sustainable peace and development.