BDP hopes to accelerate projects towards a livable city
Barangay Development Program (BDP) hopes to expedite the provision of socioeconomic development projects in order to address the needs of a specific barangay, Section Chief of Barangay Development Program/Engineer III John Jovy Z. Angor explained in an interview in the “Tingog sang Pagsanyog”, FB live Program.
Angor emphasized that the projects are intended to contribute to the overall achievement of the barangay’s development goals and objectives by providing farm-to-market roads, solar dryers, electrification, water and sanitation facilities, multi-purpose buildings and livelihood projects. The government is bringing services closer to the community through this initiative, which strengthens people’s trust and addresses their pressing needs.
When asked about the program’s direction, Angor emphasized that it corresponds with the city government’s vision of “A progressive, safe, and environmentally friendly city…”, and that he is part of the working office that is geared toward making the city safe and livable, according to Angor.
Part of the BDP’s goal is to empower the barangay. “We really give support to barangay based on their needs, like infrastructure or those who need immediate action,” Angor said.
With the public’s increasing interest in unfinished projects, Angor explained that this is due to budget constraints. According to Section 287 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act , No. 7160), ” local government unit (LGU) shall appropriate in its annual budget no less than twenty percent (20%) of its annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for development projects.” This required allocation of LGUs out of their respective annual IRA1 shares is commonly known as the 20% Development Fund (DF). With limited funds, the BDP office must rely on progressive projects. This means that their office completed a project that can be used in the interim but is intended for future expansion.
When asked about their biggest project this time, Angor stated that construction of the mini dam in Barangay Saravia is now 95% complete. He also stated that if the dam is expanded, it can water up to 20 hectares of land. The program also focuses on providing various types of water facilities and is based on a facility’s viability in relation to the type of water source and its location. The government collaborated with the water district to expand the program. In fact, the BDP bears the distribution line fees in order to reduce the beneficiary’s expenses.
Regarding the electrification program, Angor stated that, while the MOA is still in the process with SOCOTECO I due to some complications that cause delays, they are still working to identify deserving beneficiaries. “We have already identified Sitios that need to be prioritized in the electrification program, and we have some households that are tapping lines”. Meanwhile, the BDP installed solar street lights, particularly in far-flung barangays that are not serviced by the City Engineering Office (CEO).”
In project prioritization, the BDP relies on barangay proposals, with officials ensuring that it is the most needed priority project at the time. “Actually, the barangay has various proposals, such as those in rural barangays, mostly solar dryers and warehouses, whereas in urban areas are those development projects like plaza stage, so it depends on what the barangay really needed,” Angor explained.
Minor flood control and mitigation projects are one of the BDP’s top priorities. “The City Engineering Office focuses on large line canals, but we only focus on those that require immediate action and do not necessitate large allocations. There have been instances where, during the rainy season, we have discovered broken dikes that cannot be prioritized by the CEO, but we can,” Angor said.
According to the Livable City website, a livable city has five fundamental aspects: robust and complete neighborhoods, accessibility and sustainable mobility, a diverse and resilient local economy, vibrant public spaces, and affordability.
The Barangay Development Program (BDP) hopes that by meeting the pressing socioeconomic development needs of the 27 barangays, they will be up to the challenge of doing its share to make Koronadal a safe and livable haven.