The Department of Social Welfare and Development strengthened Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and launched Additional Financing in the Visayas Cluster led by DSWD Region VII.

This new chapter continues to empower communities by providing access to basic social services and participation in the local planning, budgeting, and project implementation.

KALAHI-CIDSS introduced this new chapter with the theme “Working together is necessary to beat the pandemic and to ensure a secured future.” It will continue to activate the Disaster Response and Operations Modality (DROM) in responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The next three years will be crucial because a new layer is added to its scope – to build a stronger relationship with key partners in preparation for the full devolution in 2024. Devolution is part of the Mandanas ruling that gives the LGU the capacity to hold their own developmental activities.

The additional financing is included in the country’s 25-year long term vision “Ambisyon Natin 2040”, a master plan towards a progressive and developed nation.

The work continues for KALAHI-CIDSS in giving opportunities to end poverty amidst the pandemic. And the way to do it, DSWD will implement projects in collaboration with other government agencies.

National and regional context of KALAHI-CIDSS

The Additional Financing focuses on components which will train the communities and LGUs about devolution. These components include Community Grants, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Capacity Building.

KALAHI-CIDSS commenced its maiden implementation that sets to serve 676 municipalities in 59 provinces across 15 regions, covering a total of 15,000 barangays. The World Bank, through a development loan worth Php 22.6 billion, funded this project.

While the parent project National Community-Driven Development Project ended in 2020, the uncertainties of the pandemic necessitated the program for additional resources, in both grants and technical support by helping LGUs respond not just the ongoing health emergency, but also other disasters.

National Program Manager Janet Armas said the situation remains challenging because of the coronavirus. “We are optimistic that by scaling the DROM as an implementation mechanism, we can continue and accelerate our work given the surge of cases and other disasters may happen anytime,” she added.

She also highlighted the program’s new principles, adding simplicity and speed, to the existing community participation, accountability, transparency, and inclusivity as guides in the rollout of projects.

The DROM has been proven effective during Yolanda, and the onset of COVID-19 resulting in the completion of 20,701 sub-projects benefiting 5.5 million households from 2014 up to the end of 2020.

This modality will utilize response, recovery, rehabilitation and mitigation interventions in responding to the people’s needs, such as isolation facilities, farm-to-market roads, cash-for-work and Water, Sanitation, Hygiene or WASH that complements with the Department of Health’s services.

Regional Program Manager Shalaine Marie S. Lucero assured the local chief executives in Region 7 of the program’s full support. “We will help you become ready as we move towards the full devolution. We hope to empower you with best practices of KALAHI-CIDSS, especially in the rollout of training and projects.”

The program has allocated Php 1.5 billion to cover 97 municipalities across four provinces with 2,201 barangays in Central Visayas.

Another component is the administration of projects and monitoring and evaluation. LGUs are ensured with people equipped with necessary technical skills thereby, contributing to valuable key performance indicators.

KALAHI-CIDSS hopes to surpass 63% of households in partner municipalities with access to basic facilities and livelihood sustainability. On participation, the program will work to increase 70% of female-headed households and IP communities with at least one member attending participatory activities.

Building partnership for a people-centered development

Key partners Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ensure a people-centered development in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), where the marginalized sectors are prone to poor living conditions.

KALAHI-CIDSS believes that partnering with both agencies will link the people with the development they need, bringing the services of the government to their doorsteps.

The DILG will work on the enhancement of policies in strengthening the local planning process. “As leaders, you are the stewards of the community’s highest hopes and deepest aspirations,” said DILG Undersecretary for Local Governance Marlo Iringan to local officials.

Meanwhile, DOH Local Health Support Chief, Dr. Jonathan Erasmo shares the relevance of all agencies in national development. “Our support will be the provision of technical assistance to health facilities-related projects. We will also commit to organize and train the BHERTs and BHWs to carry out the pandemic responses,” Erasmo stated.

Enhanced guidelines on local development planning will be jointly developed by these agencies as part of the strategy to institutionalize the Community-Driven Development (CDD) in the local government.

Institutionalizing the Community-Driven Development

While the main thrust of this additional financing is to respond to pandemic situations, KALAHI-CIDSS continues to pursue the integration of CDD elements in the local development process.

This strategy assures LGUs that communities are trained in identifying challenges, designing locally-identified options, and implementing projects that address their most pressing needs.

The community’s knowledge, experience, hearing their voices, and executing solutions are contributors to CDD success. It is no surprise that KALAHI-CIDSS showed positive results on the income and non-income aspects of poverty. The program had notable impacts on the people and communities, which are important determinants of household welfare.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs Rhea Penaflor encouraged local chief executives to seal the support for the program. “I call on you to be our champions in institutionalizing the Community-Driven Development. Please support the CDD by passing an ordinance,” Penaflor stressed.

With the additional financing, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS has demonstrated sustained resilience despite the pandemic and will be able to build more resilient communities and developed municipalities that will bring forth positive change in the lives of every Filipino. ###

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