In Barangay Villa Milagrosa, a farming and fishing community in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, northern Bohol, community-driven development (CDD) thrives on sustainability, not only in the well-maintained classrooms built some 19 years ago, but in the collective memory of how CDD once turned a shared dream into reality.

Before 2006, having sturdy classrooms seemed like a distant dream for the Villa Milagrosa community folks. What they had then were classrooms built only from light materials like “amakan” or a woven split bamboo.

These, of course, were not strong enough to withstand harsh rains nor extreme heat, and class suspensions during these conditions were a common scenario. It was a challenge that put their children’s education and future at risk.

Such a situation provided an opportunity for the DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program to introduce the CDD approach.

The KALAHI-CIDSS

The KALAHI-CIDSS, a community-driven development program of the national government implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, helps reduce poverty and strengthen community capacity for self-governance and collective action.

The program aims to empower communities to identify, plan, and manage projects that address their most urgent needs, such as schools, roads, or water systems, among others.

It also promotes transparency, accountability, and local ownership of development initiatives.

The CDD process

 When the KALAHI-CIDSS program reached Barangay Villa Milagrosa in 2006, under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) modality, the community quickly organized volunteers, showing their shared desire for a safe and stable learning environment for their children.

Through KALAHI-CIDSS training and participatory methods, residents and volunteers learned the process of project development.

They voiced their most urgent need: the construction of a three-classroom building. They presented this proposal at the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum (MIBF), where representatives from all barangays gathered to determine which projects to prioritize.

Likewise, the volunteers who composed the Project Preparation Team (PPT) passionately shared how poor classroom conditions affected their children’s education. They emphasized that the project would benefit not only their barangay but also nearby communities, including Popoo, Basiao, Canmangao, San Jose, San Vicente, Bogo, and Poblacion. Their heartfelt presentation and convincing arguments earned the trust of other barangays, resulting in the project’s approval.

The KALAHI-CIDSS emphasizes that projects should not only be implemented but also managed by the community itself, which was evident in Villa Milagrosa.

The residents actively participated in every phase, from planning to construction. They contributed not only their labor, reflecting the Filipino tradition of “bayanihan,” but also their expertise and oversight in managing the project.

This process truly empowered the community.

The municipal LGU and the barangay also provided support through a local counterpart contribution (LCC) of P234,030.11 in cash and in-kind, which makes up part of the total project cost of P2,162,224.

Collective action

The community worked tirelessly, from sourcing materials to monitoring funds and implementation, up until the turnover and assumption of operations and maintenance responsibilities.

The process and the community participation is a testament as to why the classroom building is more than just a structure of cement, but stands as a symbol of the community’s unity and their ability to drive their own development.

Impact

After the construction of the new and modern building was completed on May 31, 2006, the school reported an increase in high school enrollment, including students from neighboring barangays.

Over the past 19 years, the 3-unit classroom building has served roughly 120 Grade 8 students each year, a significant leap from the less than 50 students it once had.

The emotional impact was just as powerful.

Alma F. Columna, a former volunteer and now the Punong Barangay of Villa Milagrosa, said the building was more than just a structure; it was “a testament to the love and unity” of their community.

Similarly, Aries P. Alviz, a teacher who volunteered during the project implementation and is now a Teacher III, said his greatest joy was “seeing the children’s happiness” as they studied in proper classrooms.

Inter-agency cooperation for maintenance

Today, parents and teachers of Villa Milagrosa High School share the responsibility of maintaining the project as its Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Group, showing their genuine ownership and commitment.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also provided support to maintain these classrooms. The DepEd has allocated budget funds for the project’s operation and maintenance.

After the Typhoon Odette hit Cebu, Bohol, and other parts of the country in 2021, it was DepEd that carried out the repairs and repainting of the damaged classrooms, showing that the O&M has really been institutionalized.

The school also has its School Operating Budget and Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), which they use to support the project in place of the Barangay AIP.

The durability of the classrooms showcases the high-quality construction that will benefit the future generations. However, beyond the physical structure, the true success of the KALAHI-CIDSS program in Villa Milagrosa lies in the community’s growth.

The community gained skills in planning, implementation, and management of projects, proving that real development starts within. ###