Tacloban City – Governor Paul Daza through his representatives, Board Members Ricardo Daiz and Eustaquio Lagrimas distributed checks amounting to 1.4 million pesos for the ongoing construction of 18 sub-projects in 22 barangays of Palapag, Northern Samar.

Gov. Daza promised the municipality during the KALAHI-CIDSS municipal orientation held last year that he would be supporting the municipality with 10%, not just 5% of the required provincial local cash counterpart. This amount would help the municipality raise its local cash counterpart.

This activity follows the provincial distribution of checks in Mondragon town, where some P560,132 thousand pesos worth of checks were given to fifteen barangays last May 30, 2011.

Provincial Focal Person for KALAHI-CIDSS Mr. Vicente Arillo, Jr. informed those present that Vice-Governor Ram Uy was also instrumental to the approval of provincial funds release for the purpose. With Gov. Uy’s and the Provincial Board Members’ support, the release of funds for KALAHI-CIDSS was facilitated without delay.

Arillo also said that Gov. Daza is also ready to support the new KALAHI-CIDSS municipalities next year. These are Bobon, Catarman, Lavezares, and Lope de Vega.

Meanwhile, in his message to the barangay chairmen, barangay treasurers and volunteers, Vice-Mayor Noli Moslares, represented Mayor Florencio Batula, exhorted them to focus on the completion of the sub-projects because eventually they will reap the rewards. “You will no longer have to sling your shoes over your shoulders while trekking the muddy roads in Barangay Natawo”.

In addition, Moslares said that this is the first time the municipality received such a huge funding from the national and provincial governments, hence it is important that everybody do their share, even without pay.

With this development, DSWD’s Field Office Eight’s Assistant Regional Director Jaime Eclavea said that he is optimistic that project implementation in Palapag will be successful. Eclavea also enthused that the provincial government’s efforts to reduce poverty at the roots is laudable.

The checks distribution was held July 14, 2011 in Palapag during the first day of the KALAHI-CIDSS Fiduciary Review for barangay treasurers and volunteers. Witnessing the distribution were Vice Mayor Moslares and Provincial Treasurer May Irinco.

Representing the DSWD Field Office Eight were Deputy Regional Community Infrastructure Specialist Betsy Yapan, Municipal Monitor Manuel Jimenez, Social Marketing Officer Carol Araos, and members of the municipal and area coordinating teams led respectively by Mrs. Iluminada Verano and Mrs. Tita Baguhin.