CABANGLASAN, Bukidnon (PIA) — Mayor Bernie C. Castillanes delivered his 2026 State of
the Municipality Address (SOMA) at the Cabanglasan Municipal Gymnasium early this July,
highlighting his administration’s first-year achievements and priorities for local development in
support of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda for inclusive
growth and poverty reduction.

Reflecting on his first full year in office, Castillanes acknowledged early administrative hurdles
and persistent local challenges. He said cooperation between government officials and residents
enabled the administration to achieve gains in education, health, infrastructure, and community
development.
“Our performance report reflects collective sacrifice rather than individual political gain,” the
mayor said, outlining key administrative milestones aimed at reinforcing transparency,
accountability, and public service delivery.
Latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data placed Cabanglasan seventh among Bukidnon’s
20 municipalities and two cities, with poverty incidence declining to 31.6% from previous levels.
The improvement reflects the town’s efforts to reduce poverty while complementing President
Marcos Jr.’s national push to expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security, and
improve the quality of life for Filipino families under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
Castillanes highlighted health, youth empowerment, agriculture, peace, and infrastructure as the
core pillars driving Cabanglasan’s strategic development agenda.
“To combat malnutrition, the municipal government strengthened partnerships with health
workers and families to promote proper nutrition among children. Youth development gained

traction through the Cabanglasan Youth Leadership Summit 2026, which trained young leaders
in civic responsibility and community involvement,” he said.
The mayor reported that agricultural programs strengthened the Swine Multiplier and Techno
Demo Farm projects, distributing piglets to local farmers to boost meat production, strengthen
food security, and build sustainable livelihoods, supporting the Marcos administration’s broader
efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and rural incomes.
He said security initiatives carried out with the Philippine Army Special Forces helped sustain
Cabanglasan’s insurgency-free status and safeguard economic progress.
“I thank our municipal employees, barangay leaders, and community sectors—especially our
farmers, women, youth, and elders—for driving progress across our town. I urge everyone to
keep working together to build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Cabanglasan,” Castillanes
said. (By Hazel-Ann C. Sombero/PIA-10/Bukidnon)