San Pedro, Godod, Zamboanga del Norte – A historic milestone unfolded in Barangay San Pedro as the community celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its very first high school building—a 1-unit, 2-classroom facility funded under the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS KKB CDD Cycle 2 program. This momentous event marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream: to bring accessible and quality secondary education to this remote Indigenous community.

Tucked away at the boundary of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, Barangay San Pedro is one of the most geographically isolated communities in the Municipality of Godod. Accessible only through a rugged 9-kilometer stretch from Barangay Sianan, the barangay has remained resilient in the face of challenges posed by its location.

Despite the isolation, San Pedro is no stranger to success. Over the years, the community has implemented and completed seven sub-projects under KALAHI-CIDSS—including initiatives under PAMANA IP-CDD, KC-AF Phase 1, and KKB BP2 Cycle 1. All were accomplished on time and in full compliance with national engineering standards, a testament to the community’s unity, discipline, and capability in managing development projects.

Still, one pressing need persisted: a high school. For generations, students have been forced to walk long distances to neighboring barangays just to attend secondary school—posing financial hardship and safety risks. The lack of a local high school became a shared burden for both families and educators, who tirelessly advocated for change.

The collective call was finally heard.

The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Representative Hon. Adrian Michael A. Amatong, Municipal Mayor Hon. Richie L. Uy, Gutalac Mayor Hon. Justin Quimbo, along with officials from MLGU, BLGU, DSWD-ACT/MCT, S/RPMO, and the KALAHI-CIDSS program. Community volunteers, teachers, and students came in full support, reflecting the unity and pride of San Pedro.

This project underscores the essence of Community-Driven Development (CDD)—that meaningful, lasting change happens when communities are at the heart of decision-making. The people of San Pedro have once again proven that with vision, determination, and collective effort, even the most remote communities can build a better future.

The first walls of the school have yet to rise, but already, hope stands tall in San Pedro.