A village in the Surigao del Sur town of Cantilan is a recipient of a PHP1.2-million solar-powered street lighting project from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13).

In a statement Friday, DSWD-13 said it handed over the project to officials of Barangay Cabangahan in Cantilan on Thursday.

The project, implemented under DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), intends to illuminate the major pathways and roads of the barangay at nighttime.

“The solar-powered lights will directly benefit the 362 households of the village,” DSWD-13 said, adding that solar-powered lights were among the priorities of the villagers when DSWD representatives visited them earlier this year.

The agency also recognized the role of the Cantilan local government unit (LGU) during the implementation and completion of the project.

“Our roads and pathways are less accessible, especially during nighttime which puts our residents at risk of accidents and crimes,” barangay captain Martin Ampo Jr. said.

Ampo said the Kalahi-CIDSS is an effective program of the government that is responsive to the needs of the people especially in rural areas. (PNA)