LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-5) in Bicol region led the inauguration and turnover of infrastructure projects worth P3.1 million in Pasacao town in Camarines Sur last Wednesday, February 1.

The projects, consisting of a road, a health station and a versatile hall, were funded by the DSWD in line with the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and National Community-Driven Development Program - Additional Financing. The municipal government of Pasacao and the barangays where the projects were located contributed to the fund.

According to DSWD-5, over 1,000 households in Barangay Dalupaon will benefit from the road project, while the newly retrofitted health station will soon be used as an emergency operations center that will serve 199 households.

On the other hand, the newly refurbished multi-purpose hall in Barangay Mucad will serve 474 households and will be used as an isolation facility.

The inauguration ceremonies and turnover to the end-users were led by DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman S. Laurio.  He was assisted by Pasacao Mayor Jorge R. Buenga, Dalupaon Barangay Captain Brandon C. Barranda, and Macad Barangay Captain Ariel R. Buenga.

The DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS utilizes a community-driven development strategy in which the people decide and implement the changes that the residents direly need in their area. (PIA5/Edlyn L. Buara, Bicol University intern, contributed to this report).