By Helen Castaño | 09:34 PM September 30, 2026
MABINI, Bohol — The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) on Wednesday, September 30, turned over the 138th house under its Libreng Alagad ug Balay (LAB) Project to a 78-year-old widow in Barangay San Jose, Mabini.
The new home was received by Marcelina Lagaran, a widow and mother of nine, who continues to work at the age of 78 by farming and selling vegetables and root crops to help provide for her family.
For years, Lagaran’s small house had deteriorated due to age and exposure to the elements. It was also damaged by Typhoon Odette, and financial difficulties prevented her family from carrying out the repairs needed to make the house safe and comfortable.
Despite the hardships, Lagaran continued to work as much as she could, holding on to her faith and hope for better days.
On Wednesday, one of her long-held dreams came true when she formally received the keys to her new home.
The house was built through the BPPO’s Libreng Alagad ug Balay Project, an initiative that provides safer and more durable homes to poor but law-abiding families in Bohol.
The project was also carried out in partnership with Balay sa Paglaum, a housing initiative of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Congresswoman Vanessa “Van-van” Aumentado.
The project received support from community volunteers, the San Jose Barangay Council led by Barangay Captain Reymond Acuram, the Mabini Municipal Police Station under Lt. Ron Bryan Wahing, and the local government of Mabini led by Mayor Ongie Grace Bernales-Lim.
“Dili lang pipila ang angay muuswag; ang kalamboan ug pag-angat sa kinabuhi usa ka kahigayonan nga angay maambitan sa matag miyembro sa komunidad,” said BPPO Provincial Director PCOL Patricio Degay Jr.
He said the LAB Project, through community cooperation and support, seeks to give people facing difficult circumstances an opportunity to stand again and build a better future.
The BPPO said it remains committed to bringing positive change to the lives of more Boholano families through the LAB Project.
