
DIFFUN, QUIRINO – To address road accidents and crimes occurring along the stretch of Barangay Cajel, Diffun’s Local Government Unit (LGU) strategically utilized its 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLGIF) by installing 96 solar street lights along the National Highway from Barangay Aurora East to Barangay Cajel.

The solar street lights were officially inaugurated and turned over to LGU Diffun last February 5, 2024. The event was attended by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Agnes A. De Leon, Quirino Vice Governor Julius Caesar S. Vaquilar, and Mayor May Garnace-Calaunan along with other elected officials, functionaries, and project beneficiaries.

In her message to fellow Diffun residents, RD De Leon shared her journey as a civil servant, starting as an Information Officer in LGU Diffun before joining the Department. She emphasized the importance of hard work and commitment to excellence, highlighting her progression from CLGOO in the City of Santiago to her promotion in Region 1, until her transfer as Regional Director of Region 2. RD De Leon hopes her experiences inspire fellow residents to pursue leadership roles in various National Government Agencies in the region. She is optimistic about Diffun receiving financial grants through the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU), suggesting that the LGU can present their request to their Congresswoman.

Expressing gratitude for the prestigious SGLG award, Mayor Garnace-Calaunan stated that beyond the award, they value constituents' satisfaction with LGU services. She sees the SGLG as confirmation of effective local governance. The Mayor welcomes additional grants from the National Government for the continuation of solar street light installations along the National Highway in Diffun. She reported that residents appreciate the project for reducing accidents and crime, noting the effectiveness of the solar streetlights during power interruptions.

Vice Governor Vaquilar expressed gratitude to the DILG for acknowledging LGU Diffun's efforts in efficiently installing solar street lights in Barangay Cajel to tackle vehicular accidents, using the P5,000,000 SGLGIF of 2022. He emphasized the principle that "what gets rewarded, gets repeated" and commended the SGLG for effectively motivating LGUs to enhance their governance and serve the people better.

The solar street lights installed along Brgy. Cajel and Aurora East covers a total length of three kilometers, benefitting a total of 18,028 residents of Diffun and commuters.

IO II Louella Marie T. Pader