Written By: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon | Photos By: Aladin P. Abutazil

Isabela City, Basilan – In a continued effort to bring government services closer to the grassroots, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) IX, in partnership with the DILG Isabela City Field Office and the clustered barangays of Kapatagan Grande, Small Kapatagan, and Masula, successfully conducted the 11th installment of its flagship program, Layag sa Barangay, on July 01, 2026, at Isabela City, Basilan.

The activity was co-hosted by the three clustered barangays, demonstrating the power of inter-barangay cooperation and the shared commitment of local communities to address common challenges. The partnership between the DILG and these barangays highlights the program’s core principle of bringing governance and development initiatives directly to the grassroots level.

Carrying the theme “Baku-bako at Bawal: Ang Daan sa Ligtas na Pamayanan,” the activity served as a vital learning and dialogue platform for barangay officials and community leaders, focusing on two critical issues affecting the safety and development of local communities: unpassable and dilapidated roads, and the fight against illegal drugs.

The session, held in the Kapatagan Grande, Isabela City and simultaneously broadcast live via the DILG Region 9 Official Facebook page, gathered a diverse group of participants. In attendance were Punong Barangays, Sangguniang Barangay Members, Barangay Secretaries and Treasurers, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and members of the Barangay Peace and Order Committee (BPOC) and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) from the host barangays and neighboring communities. Representatives from the City Government, the City Engineering Office, and the Isabela City Police Station also joined the convergence.

Addressing Community Challenges

The learning session was divided into two major discussions. The first session, on Unpassable and Dilapidated Roads, was led by Resource Person Engr. Gay T. Palagtiosa, City Planning and Development Coordinator (CPDC) of Isabela City. She discussed the local impact of poor road infrastructure, its economic and social consequences, and the city’s development plans to address the issue. Providing practical insights as reactors was Engr. Gian Carlo Luna, Assistant City Engineer of Isabela City, who discussed the practical aspects of maintaining and constructing roads, complementing the planning perspective.

The second session, on the campaign against Illegal Drugs, featured Resource Person IA I Fidel S. Calantoc, Head of the PDEA Isabela City Field Office. IA I Calantoc presented the drug situation in Isabela City, the government’s campaign for drug-free communities, and the crucial role of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). The discussion was further enriched by reactor PLTCOL WILFREDO P PALAMOS JR, Chief of Police of Isabela City Police Station, who provided the local police perspective on strategies and successes in combating the drug problem, reinforcing the message of community-police partnership.

A Call for Collaborative Governance

In his opening message, DILG IX Regional Director Pablio L. Benitez, Jr., PhD, CESO V emphasized the importance of the Layag sa Barangay program as a vessel–layag meaning sail–that navigated through the challenges and opportunities in local governance. RD Benitez also underscored the administration’s continued commitment to the fight against illegal drugs, highlighting the renewed focus on rehabilitation and community-based approaches.

A Continuing Voyage Towards Safer Communities

The 11th Layag sa Barangay marked another milestone in DILG IX’s commitment to promoting effective and responsive local governance. By bringing together key officials from the LGU, PDEA, and PNP, and with the barangays of Kapatagan Grande, Small Kapatagan, and Masula as co-hosts, the session provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, empowering local leaders and residents to become active partners in paving the way for a safer and more progressing community

The successful co-hosting of the activity by the three clustered barangays serves as a model for community-led development and inter-barangay collaboration, proving that when government and communities work hand in hand, meaningful change is within reach.

As the program continues to sail across Region IX, the DILG remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the gap between national policies and local realities, ensuring that no barangay is left behind in the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.