He had been a witness to the hardship of his fellow Akeanon Bukidnons to bring their produce to the town proper.

His heart also bleeds for children who walked a long distance to school daily. All these are caused by rough and muddy roads at Barangay Medina, Madalag, Aklan.

In 2011, Racil Salvador was chosen as the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee chairperson of Barangay Medina. He was one of the ordinary village folks who responded to a call for community volunteerism.

Until now, he is still serving as a community volunteer. Racil is one of the numbers of community volunteers giving free community service for the longest time.

Barangay Medina’s first project under KALAHI-CIDSS was a road project. The villagers were cheerful when the proposed project was prioritized for funding during the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum in 2011.

“Pero bukon it madali ro pagproseso it mga dokumento para makasueod man ro amon nga barangay sa mga mapilian nga mataw-an it grant it KALAHI-CIDSS. (The processing of the documents is not easy before our barangay was provided with a grant).”

The challenge did not stop with the prioritization of the road project. In fact, it was only the beginning of a tiresome yet enriching process to meet the project requirements.

Naagyan ko ro tuman nga kagauy, tuman nga kagutom dahil lang sa pagpinroseso pero hay sulit man ro akon nga pagpangabudlay dahil sambilog kami sa nahapilian nga makatigayon it proyekto para sa amon nga barangay (I experienced difficulty, I starve in {processing the documents} but it is rewarding because our proposed project was prioritized).”

The long process of the road construction project taxed Racil and the pool of community volunteers. They need to secure Deeds of Donations for the properties on which the proposed road project will be constructed.

He has to walk for almost two hours just to get the nod of the owners. There were times when Racil went home at 11 in the evening in seeking the approval of the landowners for the proposed road project. One of the owners was a former town politician.

He described the Program’s process as rigorous. A number of documents must be complied with before the actual implementation starts. This process is governed by the Community-Driven Development strategy in implementing community projects in rural areas.

Racil’s perseverance coupled with the community’s support, the road project was implemented and completed. They conquered the difficulties, from land donation, issues with a contractor and fellow villagers.

The completion of the road project, however, was just the beginning of Racil’s response in leading his community in getting a share of government projects.

He also led the completion of three other projects- a hanging bridge, a school, and a paved road in previous years. All these projects were deemed important in a community like Medina, a remote barangay.

Racil admitted being a community volunteer is difficult as he was not receiving any monetary considerations from KALAHI-CIDSS. He has also a family to feed and raise.

Now, he realized that money will not last. However, his contribution left a mark on his fellow villagers in easing the inconvenience in the barangay caused by the lack of basic infrastructure.

Magauy pero balewala duyon tanan kon makita mo nga ro imong pinangabudlayan hay may manami nga bunga. (It is difficult yet it means nothing when you see the fruits of your labor).