TACLOBAN CITY — More barangays in Northern Samar are set to benefit from government-funded development projects as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expands the coverage of the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP) in the province.
The DILG–Northern Samar announced that a total of 17 additional barangays have been identified as new beneficiaries of the SBDP, with projects scheduled for implementation from 2025 to 2026. The update was presented during the 4th Quarter Joint Councils Meeting held at the Provincial Capitol held on Dec.19 and presided over by Governor Harris Ongchuan.
DILG Northern Samar project team leader Engr. Roddie Jay Doroja presented the list of newly covered barangays for 2026, as well as those included under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) for 2025–2026.
For 2025, the newly identified barangays are Macagtas, Washington, Somoge, and Libjo in Catarman, and Barangay Del Pilar in Las Navas. For 2026, the beneficiary barangays include Alejandro Village in Allen; Sumuroy in Bobon; Magtuas and Sulitan in Catubig; Sibunot and Yabyaban in Laoang; Quezon in Las Navas; Bayho in Lope de Vega; Mirador and Talolora in Mondragon; and Guindauhan and Kailingan in Rosario.
Engr. Doroja also reported that in 2024, a total of 161 projects were completed under the Local Government Support Fund–Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), benefiting 161 barangays across Northern Samar.
For 2025, two projects have already been completed, two additional projects in the towns of Gamay and Mapanas are currently ongoing, while three projects remain under procurement.
The LGSF-SBDP is a flagship DILG-led initiative that supports critical infrastructure and social development projects, including farm-to-market roads, rural health stations, water systems, and school buildings.
These projects are aimed at addressing long-standing service gaps in conflict-cleared and geographically isolated barangays, while helping reduce poverty and sustain peace.
Provincial officials said the continued rollout of SBDP projects underscores the shared commitment of the national government and the provincial government to accelerate development in underserved communities.
Aligned with the Harmonized Community-Oriented (HCO) Framework, the provincial government under Governor Ongchuan continues to pursue its vision of making Northern Samar a peaceful, happy, and progressive province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
