TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), led by Vice President Scott Morris of ADB’s East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Department, visited the town of Tanauan on Jan.30 to review ongoing development projects.
Their first stop was Barangay Calsadahay, where they inspected an ADB-funded gravity-fed water system that now provides clean drinking water to the barangay residents and neighboring communities.
The project has significantly improved access to safe water, benefiting local households and contributing to better public health.
The officials then proceeded to Bislig Elementary School, one of the infrastructure projects funded by ADB as part of the recovery efforts following Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2015.
The school has since become an important symbol of resilience and recovery in the region.
The visit was part of a familiarization tour to assess the impact of ADB-funded initiatives in the region, showcasing how these projects continue to benefit the communities they serve.
Accompanying Sec. Gatchalian and Vice President Morris were key officials from DSWD Central, including Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez of the Operations Group, Assistant Secretary Ada Colico of Statutory Programs under the Operations Group, Assistant Secretary Juan Carlo Marquez for External Assistance and Development, DSWD-8 Regional Director Grace Subong, and ADB Country Director Pavit Ramachandran.
They were also joined by Tanauan Mayor Gina Merilo, who expressed her gratitude for the visit, noting the positive impact of these projects on the community’s development.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
