After lugging a total amount of around Php3.365 million pesos cash enticement from the Barangay Empowerment Program (BEP) award for three (3) consecutive years from 2020-2022, Barangay Caloocan, a rural category, a lone barangay and the very first BEP Hall of Fame awardee recognized that BEP plays a vital role for the advancement of their barangay. “Dako gid ang nabulig sang BEP sa pagpanami sang amon barangay.” Barangay Captain John Manaay stated during interview at the city’s government FB live program “Tingog sa Pagsanyog.”

Manaay enunciated that because of the money they hauled from BEP the implementation of their programs and projects that were initially just a plan has been accelerated and now their community is benefiting.

Further, he enumerated the projects that the barangay spends on from their million pesos cash incentive. These include road illumination by installing several street lights, barangay, and purok beautification and development; and purchase of land to be utilized for their Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), nursery, and community garden; and will also function as barangay motor pool in the future that took a large amount of the prize. Apart from the above-mentioned projects, the barangay council also spares funds for various programs such as environment, health, nutrition, disaster, and others wherein they wanted it to be sustainable.

Barangay Caloocan as Hall of Famer, on the other hand, is no longer competing in this year’s BEP race as the city government is starting to prepare for another round of evaluation. However, they are still to be monitored to ensure that they maintain their dominating scores in each core area. Concerning this, Manaay commented that there is still no difference in their preparation because they are not even exempted from policing. Nonetheless, the council is grateful that the counterplan they implemented prior to the implementation of the BEP was also aligned with the said program; hence, it’s not laborious for them at all to execute such.

Meanwhile, Caloocan is willing to impart their BEP proficiency to other barangays so that they can also attain the same award. Manaay believes that par excellence and improve barangays are a reflection of the entire city of Koronadal. Consequently, Manaay confirmed that there are other barangays asking for assistance to also achieve essential improvement. Previously, some governmental entities have also conducted benchmarking in Barangay Caloocan particularly from Tupi, South Cotabato; Cotabato Province; and Baguio City.

Manaay together with the entire council wants to leave a brand of a lasting legacy for the next generation, a barangay with paved roads and a healthy community.