

Two road projects were unveiled during the ceremony, including the 350-meter road opening and concreting at Baloloy Street and a 300-meter concreted road at Macapulay Street. These projects received funding under the 2023 Local Government Support Fund – Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Additionally, an ambulance with electrocardiography (ECG) and X-ray machines was procured through the 2022 Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU).

The inauguration and turnover ceremony were attended by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 2 and Cagayan Provincial Office, headed by Regional Director Agnes A. De Leon and Provincial Director Maria Loida M. Urmatam. The Philippine Marine Corps represented by LtCol Rodel Pacifico D. Nono, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) represented by Asst. Regional Director Jack Espiritu, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were also present. LGU Santa Ana, led by Mayor Nelson P. Robinion, along with elective officials, functionaries, and project beneficiaries facilitated the activity.

Regional Director Agnes A. De Leon acknowledged that LGUs may feel disheartened when no projects are granted through SBDP. However, she emphasized the need for a change in perspective, highlighting that the absence of such projects for the current year signifies that LGUs, such as Santa Ana, are now insurgency cleared. She expressed gratitude to Sec. Eduardo Año of the NTF-ELCAC for the innovation and implementation of the SBDP, benefiting barangays like Casambalangan.
In her first attendance at an inauguration ceremony in the northern coast of Cagayan, RD De Leon shared that it was also her initial experience participating in an SBDP inauguration in a lowland area such as Santa Ana. She mentioned being accustomed to attending SBDP inaugurations in upland areas in Region 1 and in the LGUs of Quirino Province.
Commending Mayor Nelson Robinion and the LGU, RD De Leon praised the effective and successful implementation of the project, enhancing the comfort and convenience of the barangay. Furthermore, she advised the LGU to pursue financial grants through the LGSF-FALGU by presenting their LGU's needs to their Congressman, ensuring the continuous implementation of projects in their municipality.

LtCol Nono, Commanding Officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 under the Philippine Marine Corps, provided insight into the NTF-ELCAC, highlighting the singular goal of empowering and sustaining communities through initiatives like the SBDP.

Mayor Robinion urged and invited RD De Leon to return and visit the adventure paradise of Santa Ana. He expressed that the LGU is among the most blessed and privileged due to its natural resources and various tourist destinations. He assured that the LGU would assist the beneficiary barangay in maintaining and managing the implemented projects in their community. He also expressed hope that the LGU would receive funding for another barangay in need of road concreting.

Barangay Captain Gavino Benjamin Ruiz conveyed appreciation to the LGU and all participating National Government Agencies (NGAs) for the concreted roads in their community, extending gratitude on behalf of all the barangay officials of Casambalangan. He also commended the barangay officials and staff for their prompt action and collaborative efforts with these agencies during the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in their barangay, which took place prior to the approval of the SBDP projects.

Dr. Cesar Cating, Municipal Health Officer, expressed appreciation for the procured ambulance, emphasizing its role in enhancing better services during accidents and medical emergencies.

Residents of Macapulay Street and Baloloy Street expressed their gratitude for the newly concreted roads, highlighting the enhanced mobility that has positively affected their daily lives. This improvement is especially significant as the streets leading to their residences were previously unpaved earth roads filled with potholes.

IO II Louella Marie T. Pader