CORTES, Surigao del Sur -- The  six units of Watch Towers valued at P16.5 Million sub-project were officially turned over to the Local Government Unit of Cortes by the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) on February 10, 2023, in Matho, Surigao del Sur.

The watch towers will protect coastal resources, marine sanctuaries and communities of the LGU from illegal fishing and other activities. 

The solar-powered watch towers are located in six (6) barangays spread throughout the municipality, particularly in Mabahin, Madrelino, Matho, Poblacion, Tigao, and Uba.

The watch towers were constructed to strengthen the LGU's protection of its marine resources and to serve as a lighthouse for fisher folk navigating dark waters. 

The facility will also serve as concrete shelter of the barangay Bantay Dagat who previosly were house in unsafe makaeshift buildings prior to the turnover. 

Local Chief Executive Dr. Josie M. Bonifacio called the turnover of the project a ‘fruit of united labor’, detailing the importance of close coordination and collaboration between Local Government Units (LGU) and DA-PRDP. 

Regional Project Coordination Office 13’s (RPCO 13) Regional Project Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate Jr. echoed the message of the LCE and encouraged the  continuous partnership of the LGU and DA to ensure the sustainability of the sub-projects.

The turnover ceremony was attended by RPCO 13 led by Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada, Project Support Office (PSO) Mindanao representatives led by IBUILD Component Head Engr. Ma. Fe Gabunales, MINDA, and LGU officials including barangay officials and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members. (NGPB/Nichole Talatala, RPCO13, DA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)