By Flora Mae M. Palencia, CDO III

“When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. It is through unity and cooperation that developments are achieved.” Cabatuan Mayor Ronilo Casiple

This aptly describes the journey of Barangay Pamul-ogan in Cabatuan, Iloilo in realizing its dreams of providing access to Sitio Salakay.

Pamul-ogan is one of the 68 barangays of Cabatuan town. The barangay residents, of about 159 households, rely on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood. Some residents maintain agricultural farms, while others grow poultry and livestock.

The village is also a religious and tourism destination. Every Lent, Catholic pilgrims troop to Pamul-ogan Hill as penitence. At the peak of the hill lies a concrete cross reminiscent of the original cross planted by the Spaniards who first came to the region.

Just below the barangay proper is Sitio Salakay, where there are about 52 households. For decades, Sitio Salakay has been largely inaccessible and isolated due to its terrain. The sitio residents use the Tigum River to transport their goods and avail of services at the town proper. But the river is treacherous, especially during the rainy season. School children have to hike the slippery jungle to attend classes at Pamul-ogan and Tomas Confessor Memorial High School at the Poblacion.  When Tigum is unpassable, the residents take a 500-meter steep animal trail through the barangay proper.

The barangay, particularly the low-lying Sitio Salakay, suffered heavily when Typhoon Yolanda hit Western Visayas in 2013.

Couple Mildred and Edwin Caverte almost lost their lives during the typhoon. The Cavertes were among the residents who refused to evacuate early, fearing for their livestock and other sources of living.

When the Tigum River overflowed and swept houses in the nearby plains, the two found themselves floating with uprooted bamboos.  It took some time for the Barangay Tanods to rescue them.

“Buhay namun tanda na rescue hay baskog ang hangin kag budlay ang alagyan. Pwerti ka danlog kag delikado. Ang mga tanod kag rescuer ginhigtan nila ila lawas ka kalat kag ginbangot sa mga kahoy bag-o nagpadaus-os sa dalum.” (We had difficulty rescuing them because of the very dangerous and slippery terrain. The watchmen and rescuers had to secure themselves to trees before they could go down to provide help),” said Punong Barangay Susan Berbegal.

The residents of Sitio Salakay had long been dreaming of an access road to easily transport products to the barangay or town proper. More importantly, the access road is seen to ensure the safety of school children.

However, lack of funds and some legal concerns hampered the realization of this dream for years.

“Buhay run gid namun ginahandum nga maimprovar ang dalan halin sa proper padulhog sa Salakay, kaso duro kabudlay kay duro tag-iya kaduta kag wara man tigarastuhon ang barangay kag daw wara may mapanugod. Hamakon mo nga duro amun kabudlayan sa pagpatigayon pa lang sa pagbu-ol ka mga donasyon ka ja. Pero bisan duro amun kabudlayan nalipay man tamun hay nakatao ja kakasulhayan sa tanan ilabi sa mga kabataan. (It has been our dream to improve the trail from barangay proper to Salakay but it was very difficult even, especially in the processing of lot donations, to financial constraints, and even as to who will initiate the process. But despite challenges we are very happy because this benefited everybody and provided convenience especially to our children),” said community volunteer Ernesto Fonacil.

This dream became a reality in 2014 when DSWD introduced Kalahi-CIDSS-NCDDP to the LGU through the Build Back Better Communities project.

Improvement of the Sitio Salakay Trail became the main priority of the Barangay Assembly as the need for easy access was confirmed during their Typhoon Yolanda experience.

With the Community Driven Development Approach of Kalahi-CIDSS, it was remarkable how the meager amount of Php 375,000.00 was utilized by the community to implement a Million worth Impact Project.

“Bisan gamay lang amun grant, gapasalamat gid kami kay dya nga programa grasya kang Ginoo agud nga matuman ang buhay dun nga handum kang komunidad. Kun lantawon daw hindi gid matuman hay kang pagplano, dapat milyon ang kinanglan pero gin challenge kami nga maghugpong amo dyan na natuman ang amun handum, (Our grant was small but this program was God-sent in order for our community to realize its dream. It seemed impossible but we were challenged to unite in order to succeed.)” said Berbegal.

THE BAYANIHAN

Realizing the bigger need to augment the meagre grant, the community decided to come together and pool resources for the realization of their longed dreamed better access.  The spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan as one of the thrust of KALAHI-CIDSS was invigorated through a series of consultations and action planning.

“Ako tigulang dun. 70 dun akun edad kag masakit na ang akun tuhod pero padayun ako sa pagserbisyo kay dya mangin legaciya ko sa akun mga kasimanwa. Pila ka beses nga naga kadanlog ako sa pagtukad salanas kag pagsuba kag pagsaog para lang mapatigayun ang tanan. Duro akun kalipay nga makita nga bisan duro amun inagyan wara may nagakumod kay nagalaum nga mapamayad ang amun sitwasyun. Mal-am dun ako kag di ko maobra ang tanan pero hay gabinuligay kami daw kahapos ka tanan (At the age of 70 years old my knees are already weak, but I still find joy in serving because this is my legacy to my barangay. Several times I slipped in the trail and crossed the rivers just to facilitate everything. I am so happy to see that despite difficulties encountered, people are optimistic and find joy in serving to improve our situation.  In my old age, alone I can do so little but because we united we did so much and it is much easier),” said Brgy. Treasurer Virginia Meneza.

Duron akun kalipay bilang Punong Barangay nga makita ang akun pumuluyo nga naga buylog halin sa pagpang hagbas asta sa hauling nga wala gapaabot ka bayad. Bisan masaku angt anan possible gali nga matabo kun may ginabuylugan nga kawsa(I find joy in seeing my constituents unite for this cause; people render voluntary services from clearing operations and even in hauling without expecting monetary returns. I realized that this is possible when people unite for a cause),” said Bervegal

COUNTERPARTING

The success of any implementation is partnered with the support of every stakeholder. It is in this spirit that the Municipal Local Government Unit of Cabatuan supported the Community Driven Development approach in the project implementation.

“As an educator by profession, I believe that true development is achieved when people are empowered to get involved in their community’s business.  I take pride that in Cabatuan, any grant provided by DSWD is doubled in value because you get people involved when they have investment in the process and implementation.  All sub-projects implemented in Cabatuan is administered through Community Force Account (CFA) to maximize the value of each sub-project. The LGU provides for the equipment in all road sub-projects and since aggregates are available locally, we utilize our resources to provide for the aggregates so the length and the value is doubled. CFA is also a good way to ensure accountability and participation.  The people work for their identified sub-project, they earn a living and they ensure quality because after all they are the beneficiaries of the implemented sub-project,” said Mayor RoniloCasiple in his inspirational speech during the Kalahi-CIDSS mass sub-project turn-over on August 23, 2016.

On Pamul-ogan’s road project, the MLGU provided the equipment (Backhoe, Grader and Rollers) and aggregates for the sub-grade preparation. Aside from their BAYANIHAN efforts, the BLGU also raised Php 4,000.00 in cash as counterpart fund.

For the people of Pamul-ogan, they now know that by themselves they can do so little but through cooperation much was attained. It is in this spirit that when little things are initiated, and everybody does their share, BIG gains are possible.   Now, the people of Sitio Salakay have better and safer access. Children need not cross rivers to attend school, services are easily availed of and the sitio is now more accessible.  Transport of farm products is easier, paving the way for more opportunities and commerce.

Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action, every little contribution is counted and when everyone do their share, development is possible. “Ginahandum lang ka una, pero digya run tana! (What we dreamed of is now here),” exclaimed the senior citizen and treasurer Meneza. (Kalahi-CIDSS/DSWD)