08/06/2026
Just in time for the opening of School Year 2026–2027, the community of Barangay Pisompongan in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur is seeing the concrete results of a swift government intervention.
A newly-built steel footbridge now provides children with a safe river crossing, while a newly constructed two-classroom building offers a much-improved learning environment.
The projects became a reality after a concerned citizen shared a viral video online last year showing local schoolchildren risking their safety to cross through a dangerous river just to get to their classroom.
Because of the viral video, Department of Social Welfare and Development - DSWD Secretary REX Gatchalian immediately mobilized the DSWD's Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program.
Within days, program personnel arrived on the ground to work alongside residents and local leaders, using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach to plan and execute the necessary infrastructure.
"Upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we made sure that no community shall be left behind. This community would no longer have to risk their safety just to get an education," Secretary Gatchalian said during his visit to the community on June 8.
"Children can now go to school safely, even during bad weather, and parents no longer have to worry,” the DSWD chief added.
The construction for the 21.60-meter steel footbridge began on Dec. 18, 2025, with a total project cost of Php1,345,173.88.
Alongside the CDD project, the 171-square-meter, two-classroom school building was initiated on Dec. 11, 2025, amounting to Php4,363,590.16, with a total local counterpart contribution of Php109,737.16.
These sub-projects will support 366 households, providing safer access and better facilities for 565 students or 1,688 community members.
“We are grateful to our President and to the DSWD for immediately acting on our concerns. The children now have a safe bridge to cross and a proper school building,” said Pisompongan Integrated School Principal Gideon Goc-ong.
This accomplishment highlights the collaboration between the local government unit (LGU) of Midsalip, the active community members, and the DSWD.
The municipality of Midsalip will also benefit along with 499 other LGUs from the KALAHI-CIDSS's newest modality, the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project or PCRP which aims to address the long-term impacts of climate change on remote communities.
Midsalip town is qualified as a beneficiary under the PCRP based on a set of eligibility criteria which includes high poverty incidence, exposure to environmental hazards, significant Indigenous Peoples population, and child stunting rates. (kcnpmo/mam/fss/jcbz/ahff)
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