While there is a dip in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 remains steadfast in providing post-recovery assistance to partner municipalities like Medellin in Cebu.

The agency delivered the 7-bed capacity isolation facility of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) to the local officials of Brgy. Panugnawan, Medellin on December 7, 2021.

The construction of this 200 sq. m facility started in July 2021 with the objective of providing temporary shelter for mild cases of COVID-19. It is part of the program’s 7.5 million project for Medellin in response to the health situation of poor communities.

“Garbo alang kanamo nga taga-Panugnawan ang pagpatukod niining isolation facility. Dili lang kay among mga ginsakupan ang makapahimos niini apan apil na pud ang 18 ka mga barangay sa tibuok Medellin (It is our pride in Panugnawan to see the construction of this isolation facility. Not only our constituents will benefit this project but also the 18 barangays of Medellin),” happily shared by Punong Barangay Juanico Diaz of Panugnawan.

KALAHI-CIDSS uses the Disaster Response Operations Modality (DROM), a mechanism for project implementation that will fast-track the delivery of projects in times of calamities and disasters.

The past two years have brought some challenges for the province of Cebu, including the COVID-19 that affects many vulnerable areas. Though seen to have sustained growth prior to the pandemic, Medellin is called upon to emerge from the crisis and push through its recovery efforts.

In the earlier months of 2021, KALAHI-CIDSS saw the need to augment the resources of the local government unit and provided Medellin with sub-projects like livelihood interventions such as cash-for-work and farm-to-market roads. These investments remain a top priority for DSWD in building a steady recovery growth, poverty reduction while encouraging community participation.

Regional Director Rebecca P. Geamala ensures that the program of KALAHI-CIDSS will continue to invest in development not only in Cebu but for the rest of Central Visayas. “Our mandate is to uplift everyone from poverty. One way to do this, we will provide opportunities to bounce back for both local government and community members,” she added.

DSWD’s relationship with local government units resulted in projects ensuring an inclusive and sustainable growth guiding the recovery efforts of all communities affected by pandemic and other disasters. ###

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