On September 26, 2018, the FY 2017  Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) Projects of the Municipality of Candelaria was officially inaugurated by Hon. Napoleon E. Edquid and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Candelaria together with the DILG Zambales Provincial Office headed by Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad, CESO V. The Evacuation Facility located in Barangay Catol and Core Local Access Road in Barangay Malimanga and Sinabacan were the priority projects identified by the local government unit in the implementation of the 2017 ADM Program.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing was led by the LGU of Candelaria and witnessed by the beneficiaries of the projects.

The one- storey Evacuation Facility with an allocated budget of Php 7, 898,000.00 will serve as the permanent municipal evacuation center in Candelaria which will further strengthen the town’s disaster preparedness and resilience.

On the other hand, the concreting of the barangay roads in Malimanga and Sinabacan amounting to Php 7,500,000.00 has significantly improved the quality of life of the residents- giving them better employment opportunities within and outside the area—while improving access of farmers and residents in the area to basic services, such as education and health.

“Nakikita po natin na nakafocus ang plano ni Mayor sa development ng bayan, hindi lang po national ang umaakyat at nagiging progresibo, kundi pati na rin ang isa sa pinaka-importanteng parte ng gobyerno, ang ating local government units para sa lalong pag-unlad ng ating bansa, kasama po ‘yan sa plano ng ating pangulo na inclusive growth”, said PD Armi V. Bactad during the luncheon program set by the LGU.

Hon. Napoleon E. Edquid also expressed his gratitude to the National Government in providing their municipality financial subsidy in the implementation of their projects, “Muli po, kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mahal na pangulo, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte at talagang ginagampanan niya ang kanyang mga tungkulin at mga pangako sa mamamayan”.

The Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities is a partnership program between the DILG and DBM that seeks to equitably assist all municipalities in the delivery of basic services.