THE 5,843 residents of Barangay Don Juan Climaco Sr. (formerly Barangay Magdugo) in Toledo City, Cebu, now enjoy a concrete road that spans 260 meters at once sludgy and accident pron Sitio Panog.
The project, which cost P3.3 million, was completed in two months and formally turned over to the barangay on July 26.
The improvement of the barangay road will benefit the residents, especially students and local farmers of the barangay and neighboring barangays of Cambang-ug, Media Once, General Climaco, Canlumampao, Puting Bato and Bagakay, all in Toledo City.
“This is, by far, the biggest donation the barangay has received. We are garateful to Carmen Copper Corp. In fact, one of our residents said that, after 65 years, now he sees a nice road,” said Don Juan Climaco Sr. Brgy. Capt. Eduardo M. Climaco Jr.
In the past, during heavy rains, the road was almost impassable due to mud and potholes mostly caused by passing heavy equipment. Many of the residents figured in accidents in the area, which is also flood-prone.
“Our dilapidated roads have been a major problem in the barangay. There are still a lot to improve at Don Juan Climaco Sr. and we are working on it. We are very thankful that we have Carmen Copper as our partner in development,” Climaco said.
He said the barangay’s annual internal revenue allotment (IRA) is only about P4 million and only 20 percent of this is for development projects.
Barangay Don Juan Climaco Sr. is a neighboring barangay of Carmen Copper that is a recipient of the various social development projects under the company’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).
Joemar V. Pritos, Carmen Copper Community Relations Department superintendent, said no project will be completed without the collaboration with the barangay, so he thanked the barangay officials for their cooperation and continuous support to the operations of the mine.
He said the project will help boost economic growth in the barangay and help reduce poverty among the residents.