The Saemaul Undong movement, a rural community development initiative based in South Korea, celebrated its fourth anniversary in Iloilo earlier this week with members of the Philippine affiliate conducting events in the towns of Oton and Lemery.

An event in Oton’s Barangay Abilay Sur, led by Barangay Captain Antonio Masculino, Jr., discussed ways in which the church and community can collaborate in the construction of infrastructure, such as irrigation canals, pathways, and vegetable gardens, through the “dagyaw” system, where residents agree to provide free labor towards the construction of a project.

In Poblacion SE Zone, located in Lemery, Cherry Ventura Olanda discussed the Bagong Bayanihan ng Barangay program, which works towards empowering volunteers through award-driven activities, including beautification projects.

She noted, solid waste management projects conducted in the town caught the attention of the Gangwon-do Saemaul Male Leaders Association, who donated $10,000 (P512,600) towards the construction of a recycling center last year.

Meanwhile, Philippine Saemaul Undong President Mario Nillos said the organization will revisit and review past strategies in Barangays Alabidhan in Bingawan, Lanag Sur in Sta. Barbara, Poblacion in Badiangan, Moto and Bundulan in San Dionisio./JAN, WDJ