Employing national policies for local impact: Tagbina’s Special Programs Division in action
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — The local government of Tagbina in Surigao del Sur created the Special Programs Division (SPD), a local governance initiative that supports community-driven development, inclusive growth, and people-centered services.
According to officials, as the only local government unit in the province with a dedicated Special Programs Division, it highlights how national policies can be effectively turned into concrete actions at the grassroots level.
Born from leadership, sustained by communities
Established under the leadership of Mayor Glaiza Jane Polizon-Lanete during her first term, the SPD has been operating for three years as an ad hoc division mandated to ensure the effective, coordinated, and responsive implementation of government programs. It integrates social protection, livelihood, and development initiatives while placing communities at the heart of planning, decision-making, and implementation.
Headed by Glenn Lazaro, the SPD bridges policy and practice, turning national frameworks into tangible results that empower barangays and improve the lives of Tagbina’s constituents.
Municipal Agriculturist and Municipal Tourism Officer Designate Warlito Untua highlighted the division’s impact on governance and institutional morale.
“It boosted our morale and strengthened the dignity of our municipality. In my many years of service, I have seen how the SPD helped Tagbina earn numerous honors, awards, citations, and recognition at the municipal, regional, and even national levels,” Untua said.
Working closely with barangay officials, community volunteers, partner institutions, and national government agencies, the SPD focuses on building local capacity, promoting transparency, and sustaining initiatives, ensuring that community plans evolve into meaningful and lasting programs.
Community-driven development in action
Through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), all barangays in Tagbina have availed of community sub-projects, reinforcing participation, transparency, and accountability.
Under Phase 3 of the DSWD Padayon Project, a total of 21 sub-projects were implemented across 20 barangays, with a combined funding of ₱6,649,842, sourced from joint LGU and barangay local cash contributions.
Volunteerism remains a key pillar of the initiative, with 866 active community volunteers: 580 women, 247 men, and 39 youth, reflecting broad participation. The program also created livelihood opportunities for women, providing paid work to 137 women, amounting to ₱230,602.98.
Complementing these efforts, the KALAHI-CIDSS Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KKB) Cash-for-Work program benefited 472 individuals, with ₱5.68 million released, reinforcing shared responsibility and immediate economic support.
Inclusive growth for IPs
Through the PAMANA Program, Tagbina marked a regional milestone with the establishment of the first Indigenous Peoples (IP) Center in the Caraga Region, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on October 2, 2023. Funded by DSWD Caraga through the program on KALAHI CIDSS-PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan), this facility serves the Mandaya and Manobo tribes, providing a hub for skills development, livelihood training, and cultural preservation.
Anchored on the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), the initiative strengthens cultural leadership and ensures responsible development where IP communities serve as active partners.
With ₱4,193,130 allocated, the program directly benefited 2,172 Indigenous Peoples, advancing inclusive and culturally sensitive governance in line with the national peace and development agenda.
Reaching the most vulnerable
The PAG-ABOT Program reached 634 household beneficiaries from two barangays through six targeted trainings. It also supported two community-led sub-projects worth ₱4,065,500 and assisted 17 regular beneficiaries from 2024 to 2025, amounting to ₱689,146.
Under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), six Social Livelihood Production Associations (SLPAs) were organized, engaging 220 participants. In 2025 alone, funding reached ₱5.173 million, combining seed capital and LGU counterpart support, reflecting a 113.89% average annual growth. From 2022 to 2025, total funding reached ₱13.043 million, contributing to measurable poverty reduction among beneficiaries.
Strengthening families and crisis response
Through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), 2,199 households received ₱35.73 million in cash assistance. The program also facilitated 756 Family Development Sessions and seven Youth Development Sessions, reinforcing responsible parenthood and youth development.
Meanwhile, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program provided timely support to 15,427 beneficiaries, with ₱46.251 million in cash assistance disbursed to address urgent needs.
Skills for work, hope for tomorrow
The Community Training and Employment Coordinators (CTEC) initiative conducted four skills training sessions, benefiting 134 individuals. With ₱200,000 disbursed, the program equipped participants with practical skills to access employment, pursue entrepreneurship, and achieve personal and economic growth.
A model of people-centered governance
From livelihood and social protection to IP empowerment and volunteer-driven development, Tagbina’s Special Programs Division demonstrates that breaking the cycle of poverty is possible when national policies are translated into people-centered action.
As the municipality continues to gain recognition beyond its borders, the SPD stands as a testament to what strong leadership, empowered communities, and sustained partnerships can achieve, turning hope into action and action into lasting change at the grassroots. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
