TANGALAN, Aklan — A ₱30-million national government allocation is set to bring major changes to Tangalan, Aklan, with the municipality planning to expand its local road network, open additional residential areas and address its growing need for cemetery space.
The funding comes through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Growth Equity Fund under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program, which provides support to local government units with limited financial resources.
For Tangalan, the funding is particularly significant because it is a fourth-class municipality, where limited local resources can make it difficult to finance large infrastructure projects on its own.
₱22 million for infrastructure, ₱8 million for rice
Mayor Gene Fuentes said the municipality received a total of ₱30 million, but the entire amount will not be spent on infrastructure.
Under Tangalan’s plan, ₱22 million will fund infrastructure projects, while the remaining ₱8 million will support the municipality’s rice program.
The infrastructure component is expected to cover concrete road pavement and drainage facilities as Tangalan works to open new roads in the poblacion.
Three new streets planned
One of the most significant components is the construction and opening of three new streets in the Poblacion, including a road that will provide access to the planned Municipal Cemetery 2.
The project is intended to solve more than just a transportation problem.
According to Fuentes, Tangalan’s existing municipal cemetery is nearing capacity. A recently constructed section containing 30 niches already has 22 occupied, prompting the local government to secure additional land for a second cemetery.
The municipality has also secured land for the planned cemetery, while some property owners have agreed to donate portions of land to help facilitate road development.
This means the road project could simultaneously address cemetery access, urban expansion and future residential development.
From cemetery problem to wider urban expansion
The planned roads are expected to connect the new cemetery site with the existing road network while opening areas that could eventually support additional residential development.
For Tangalan officials, the project represents a two-pronged solution: providing much-needed access to the future cemetery while expanding the municipality’s urban footprint.
The project was prioritized through the Municipal Development Council, based on identified community needs and the municipality’s development priorities.
Tangalan is not starting from zero
Government infrastructure records show that Tangalan has received national infrastructure investments in previous years, including projects involving local roads and the Tangalan Bypass Road.
For example, DPWH infrastructure records previously listed funding for the construction of the Tangalan Bypass Road, demonstrating that road connectivity has long been part of the area’s broader infrastructure development agenda.
More recently, DPWH’s 2025 infrastructure program included substantial flood-mitigation investments along the Tangalan River, including revetment wall projects in Barangays Dapdap and Baybay. These projects were intended to strengthen protection along the river and address flood-related infrastructure needs.
These earlier and ongoing projects provide important context: the new LGSF-funded roads are part of a broader pattern of infrastructure development in the municipality rather than an isolated road project.
Why the ₱30 million matters
For a fourth-class municipality, securing national funding can make a substantial difference in its ability to pursue projects that would otherwise compete with other basic local government expenses.
Fuentes highlighted the direct release of LGSF assistance to local governments, saying it reduces the need for municipalities to repeatedly travel to Manila to follow up on project funding.
The development also comes as the national government continues to use infrastructure spending and local government assistance to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity in communities.
In April 2026, the Department of Budget and Management announced the release of ₱46.22 billion for 1,743 infrastructure projects nationwide, with road connectivity and improved mobility among the priorities cited by the government.
The bigger picture for Tangalan residents
The immediate impact of the Tangalan allocation could be felt through improved road access, drainage infrastructure and connectivity to previously less-developed areas.
But the longer-term effect could be even more significant.
By opening additional roads and making new areas more accessible, the project could help expand the Poblacion, encourage residential development and improve access to public facilities.
At the same time, the ₱8-million rice allocation provides a separate form of assistance for local residents, meaning the ₱30-million package combines physical infrastructure with direct food-related support.
For Tangalan, the challenge now shifts from securing the funding to ensuring that the projects are implemented properly, efficiently and transparently.
Mayor Fuentes has assured residents that the local government intends to implement the projects promptly so the community can benefit from the improvements.
And as Tangalan prepares to open new roads and a second municipal cemetery, one question now hangs over the project: how much farther can the municipality’s new infrastructure push the town’s growth?
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