Iloilo City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) convened local chief executives (LCE) and other stakeholders to document experiences and gather recommendations for the continued implementation of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

The program is closing its largest fund portfolio this year and will transition to a new initiative in 2025 named ‘Panahon ng Pagkilos.’ The focus will shift from improving access to basic services to strengthening community resilience from disasters due to climate change.

Local Government Units (LGUs) are crucial to the KALAHI-CIDSS program, delivering financial and technical support for barangay subprojects. They also ensure efficient operation and maintenance of these projects by allocating funds and training community associations involved.

During the sessions, LCEs recommend refining and streamlining the existing processes within KALAHI-CIDSS and the LGU to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness for future KALAHI-CIDSS implementations.

The LCE forum also recognized exemplary LGUs from each region through the Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS awards for their strong support in maintaining existing subprojects.

The 7-year-old community water system in Barangay Pontod, Mahinog, Camiguin, is Region X’s awardee for its exemplary performance in operations and maintenance and for extending invaluable service to its community.

Meanwhile, National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin reports 99% completion of 11,682 target subprojects this year. KALAHI-CIDSS operates in 15 regions, engaging 14,874 barangays in 476 municipalities. It partners with barangay and municipal local government units and mobilizes community volunteers for inclusive planning, budgeting, and implementation of community projects to address local needs.

Since 2002, KALAHI-CIDSS has served as the government’s primary implementer of the Community-Driven Development (CDD) program. It has successfully delivered 91,385 subprojects with an estimated funding of PHP104.8 billion sourced from both foreign-assisted projects and local funding.

Known for promoting the culture of bayanihan and volunteerism, KALAHI-CIDSS has mobilized 2.86 million volunteers across the country.

During the forum, LCEs recognized CDD as an effective tool in a people-centered development strategy. One of their recommendations is to create a manifesto urging legislators to support the bill that institutionalizes CDD.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the only DSWD flagship program institutionalized by Republic Act No. 11310 in 2019.