The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program, held the 2024 Local Chief Executives Forum at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City, on November 20-21, 2024, with the theme, “SULONG: Breaking Barriers for Collective Action towards Community Resilience and Sustainable Governance through Community-Driven Development.”

The forum brought together approximately 200 local chief executives (LCEs) and development partners across the Philippines to discuss community-driven development (CDD) and strategies for enhancing community resilience. It served as a venue for governors and municipal mayors to evaluate the outcomes and impact of CDD initiatives in their respective areas, address challenges, and share best practices for future initiatives.

DSWD Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, Assistant Secretary Florentino “Jun” Loyola Jr., and nine Regional Directors, including DSWD Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, attended the activity. Region 7 participants include Local Chief Executives and Technical Staff from Bohol (Batuan, Bien Unido, Dimiao, Garcia Hernandez, and Pilar), Cebu (Badian, Barili, Santander, Samboan, and Sibonga), Negros Oriental (Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, and Pamplona), and Siquijor (Siquijor).

One of the highlights of the forum was the Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS Awards, recognizing local government units (LGUs) that have demonstrated exemplary leadership in implementing transformative and sustainable subprojects. These awards underscore the effectiveness of collective action and inspire LGUs to renew their commitments to participatory, transparent, and accountable governance.

The forum also emphasized the importance of sustaining CDD principles and called on LCEs to affirm their roles of ensuring the long-term operation and maintenance of subprojects. Additionally, participants were encouraged to lobby for the institutionalization of CDD through local resolutions and ordinances.

Since its inception in 2002, the KALAHI-CIDSS program has completed over 91,385 subprojects, benefiting 24.39 million households nationwide. In Region VII alone, the program has invested 9.075 billion pesos in grants and 1.67 billion pesos in local counterpart contributions, resulting in 9,981 completed community projects that have engaged 52,703 volunteers and directly benefited 3.7 million households.

With over two decades of experience, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS continues collaborations with LGUs and development partners to foster sustainable development and empower communities across the Philippines. ###

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