Two community projects — a hanging bridge and a classroom building totaling about PHP10.6 million — are poised to revitalize two villages in disaster-hit La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Mayor Anejo Nicor and Fifth District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, on Wednesday led the unveiling of the projects implemented through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

“Maliliit man sila (They may be small), but they are very meaningful projects because small communities get to use them every day,” Gatchalian said.

The hanging bridge in Barangay Robles, with a total project cost of PHP6.454 million, was completed through the convergence of resources and community participation.

It has a local counterpart of PHP1.731 million, comprising both cash and in-kind contributions.

Some 5,215 households or 20,367 residents are set to benefit from the hanging bridge, providing them a safer and more accessible connection when crossing the river to reach homes, schools, livelihood areas, markets, health facilities, and other essential services.

In Barangay Sag-ang, a two-classroom school building with amenities was inaugurated at Sag-ang Integrated School.

The learning facility has a project cost of PHP4.118 million, including the KALAHI-CIDSS grant of PHP4.045 million, as well as the municipal and barangay counterpart of PHP73,000.

In an interview, Nicor said the new school building would provide students with a more comfortable learning environment.

“These projects are for you. Development becomes more meaningful when we work together,” he told the beneficiaries.

La Castellana is one of the worst-hit local government units in central Negros by the devastation of Typhoon Tino in November 2025, and also continues to cope with the effects of the series of explosive eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2.

According to the DSWD, these projects reinforce the KALAHI-CIDSS principle that when communities are given the opportunity to participate, they can identify solutions that respond directly to their needs and create infrastructure that serves not only the present but also future generations.

“Through community-driven development, DSWD-Negros Island Region continues to support communities in building not only bridges that connect places, but also stronger partnerships, greater participation, and more resilient communities,” it added. (PNA)