DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. during the conduct of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) Summit 2022 lauded the Local Chief Executives, partner agencies and DILG Family who are working together to ensure the safety and development of all barangays in the country. "To all our leaders, ipagpatuloy po natin ang serbisyong tapat at maaasahan para sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Let us protect our communities from the threats of these peace spoilers", he said in his message.
The said activity dubbed as Capacity Development Program for LCEs on Vertical Integration of Local Plans to the National Peace Framework was held on November 7, 2022 at Widus Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and hosted by DILG R-3 in partnership with the Support for the Local Governance Program and Local Executive No. 70 – Project Management Office.
The Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) is the flagship program of the government that seeks to end the communist insurgency at the local level by minimizing local support and sympathy to the communists. The DILG provides assistance in the monitoring and implementation of projects under the SBDP which include, among others, construction of farm-to-market roads, health stations, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, and rural electrification. Social services such as agricultural and livelihood trainings and projects and immediate cash assistance to individuals and families are also being provided under this program to effect the target of delivering basic services and social development projects to beneficiary barangays that need government interventions due to the previous influence of Communist-Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
In his speech, Sec. Abalos highlighted that out 2,319 projects identified by 822 barangays in FY 2021, 1,019 projects or 43.94% are already completed while the rest remains ongoing implementation. For 2022, out of the 1,724 projects identified by the 1,406 beneficiary barangays, 1,658 projects or 89.9% already have their fund released with SARO and NCA.
DILG Region III Director Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda emphasized the impact of SBDP in the vulnerable and marginalized communities through the delivery of basic services and social development projects. "Together with all the government forces involved, the Department continuously works towards to ensure the progress and the fulfilment of the objectives of the program", he added.
In the SBDP Summit 2022, LGUs from insurgency-cleared areas shared their experiences as beneficiaries of the SBDP projects, giving emphasis on the strategies and impact of the implementation.
The national activity was participated in by the Local Chief Executives of the provinces, cities, and municipalities of implementing LGUs of SBDP, DILG Central Office Officials, Regional Directors, LEO70 PMO, DILG Region III staff, and officials from the NTF-ELCAC.