The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP) Additional Financing affords community members and local officials to participate in pre-implementation trainings that will prepare them for the implementation of chosen sub-projects in their community. But because of the pandemic, balancing safety concerns and indispensability of the trainings have become a challenge for its program facilitators and partner local institutions.

Pre-Implementation trainings conducted by KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP provide fundamental knowledge on community-based processes for the delivery of the sub-project; beginning with financial management, procurement, and infrastructure management.

Eight municipalities in Region X under the Program have successfully conducted the pre-implementation trainings with observance to the strictest health protocols.

Barangay Lourdes Chairperson Genebeb Cabusas of Dangcagan, Bukidnon said that their learnings during the trainings have been useful not only for their sub-project implementation but also for other development programs undertaken by their barangay.

Barangay Poblacion Chairperson Vilma Guhil also expressed that despite the current situation of the pandemic, attending the KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP initiated trainings is a gain on their end.

The pre-implementation trainings are found to have an impact on uplifting the confidence of community volunteers who, mostly, have low educational background and minimal project management experience, were given the opportunity to participate in the development process.

Dangcagan Mayor Fruto B. Dandasan, Jr. expressed his gratitude and excitement after learning that the municipality of Dangcagan is included in the additional financing of KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP.

LGU Dangcagan has committed a local counterpart amounting to Php3,237,932.30 (cash and in-kind) for the implementation of Phase 1 KALAHI CIDSS NCDPP Additional Financing. Learning about the Program from local leaders in neighboring municipalities, Mayor Dandasan is eager to support the program to enable community empowerment and improve access to basic social services.

Story by: Judee Mae Saree A. Cabanag-Pepito, Area Coordinator, Dangcagan, Bukidnon

The additional three-year implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP) is seeking LGU adoption of its processes and strategy alongside the delivery of community-decided sub-projects to strengthen their pandemic response.

KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP is known for using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy in implementing community projects where people become actively involved in local planning, budgeting, and implementation.

The additional financing will scale up the use of the Disaster Response Operations Modality (DROM) to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other major disasters, and to pursue the institutionalization of CDD in barangay local development planning in partnership with the DILG.

In Region X, 49 municipalities across five provinces will implement NCDDP AF with a target grant of more than PHP600 million for year one. Sub-projects for funding include: capacity building on COVID-19 response and mitigation, establishing or upgrading isolation facilities, water and sanitation facilities, cash-for-work schemes, improvement of rural access roads, procurement of PPEs, and support to community-based livelihood.

A three-year priority list of sub-projects based on the results of the COVID-19 Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) of the barangay will be gradually funded by the municipal LGU as the Program transitions into an LGU-led modality.

The institutionalization of CDD in the local level is being solidified with the integration of CDD elements in the Barangay Development Planning (BDP) Process in partnership with the DILG. By 2023, an enhanced BDP guidelines with harmonized CDD principles and practices will be rolled out to BLGUs.

Over the years, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP has demonstrated success in empowering local communities to tackle inadequacies in basic infrastructure and improving welfare in rural areas.

A CDD Bill is currently filed in the 18^th Congress that seeks to institutionalize CDD as a national strategy for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth. More local government units across the country have adopted the CDD strategy in their local planning process, seeing the gains of CDD in improved local governance and lasting benefits of the sub-projects.

With the passage of the CDD Bill, the whole of government—from national line agencies down to local government units will use participatory mechanisms to implement community-based programs, activities, and projects; facilitating a more inclusive and people-centered development.

In Region X 1,944 sub-projects have been delivered since 2014 in identified poor municipalities, creating opportunities for paid labor during the construction of the sub-projects, and sustained economic activity brought about by better facilities and physical assets in the community.

With the current pandemic, Community-Driven Development should all the more be at the forefront as community priorities are also changing in response to COVID-19.

In 2020, the DROM for COVID-19 response delivered 213 sub-projects worth more than PHP130 million into eight municipalities in Region X, benefiting almost 130,000 households across communities and creating temporary employment for people who suffered income losses due to the pandemic. These projects were supported by the local government units’ financial counterparts for the sub-project completion and other logistical support for the Program in their municipality.

The KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP is one of the social protection programs of the DSWD to be fully devolved to LGUs by 2024 in light of the Mandanas Ruling. With the passage of the CDD Bill, a Knowledge and Research Institute (KRI) will become the spiritual successor of the KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP which shall endeavor to improve the CDD practice in local government units and continue the gains of Community-driven development.

The KALAHI-CIDSS – X Regional Program Management Office completed the series of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Activities to 41 municipalities under Group 2 implementation, bringing the total to 49 municipalities in Region X to implement the Program’s COVID-19 response modality under the National Community-Driven Development-Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF).

The FGDs convened Municipal Inter-Agency Committees (MIAC) led by local chief executives, to assess the LGU’s commitment and capability to implement the Program.

Among the discussions include the provisions and requirements for the Local Counterpart Contribution (LCC) of each LGU. LCC refers to contributions in the form of cash or in-kind from the local government units that may be sourced from the Local Development Fund (LDF) of the municipality, province and barangay. It can also come from other partners such as members of communities and other private organizations.

In every KALAHI-CIDSS program implementation, LCC commitments are sought out as part of the legal agreements and partnership between DSWD and the LGUs.

For this year, implementing municipalities are classified into 2 groups:

GROUP 1:

PROVINCE MUNICIPALITY (Group 1)
BUKIDNON DAMULOG
BUKIDNON DANGCAGAN
BUKIDNON DON CARLOS
BUKIDNON KADINGILAN
BUKIDNON MARAMAG
BUKIDNON KITAOTAO
LANAO DEL NORTE SAPAD
LANAO DEL NORTE SALVADOR

GROUP 2:

PROVINCE MUNICIPALITY (Group 2)
BUKIDNON CABANGLASAN
BUKIDNON SAN FERNANDO
BUKIDNON QUEZON
BUKIDNON KALILANGAN
BUKIDNON BAUNGON
BUKIDNON LANTAPAN
BUKIDNON TALAKAG

CAMIGUIN GUINSILIBAN
CAMIGUIN SAGAY
CAMIGUIN CATARMAN
CAMIGUIN MAHINOG
CAMIGUIN MAMBAJAO (Capital)

LANAO DEL NORTE BAROY
LANAO DEL NORTE KOLAMBUGAN
LANAO DEL NORTE KAPATAGAN
LANAO DEL NORTE LALA
LANAO DEL NORTE TAGOLOAN
LANAO DEL NORTE MATUNGAO
LANAO DEL NORTE KAUSWAGAN
LANAO DEL NORTE BACOLOD
LANAO DEL NORTE MAIGO
LANAO DEL NORTE LINAMON

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL SAPANG DALAGA
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL LOPEZ JAENA
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL PANAON
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL CALAMBA
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL JIMENEZ
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TUDELA

MISAMIS ORIENTAL LIBERTAD
MISAMIS ORIENTAL GITAGUM
MISAMIS ORIENTAL NAAWAN
MISAMIS ORIENTAL INITAO
MISAMIS ORIENTAL ALUBIJID
MISAMIS ORIENTAL LAGUINDINGAN

MISAMIS ORIENTAL BALINGOAN
MISAMIS ORIENTAL LAGONGLONG
MISAMIS ORIENTAL BINUANGAN
MISAMIS ORIENTAL KINOGUITAN
MISAMIS ORIENTAL SALAY
MISAMIS ORIENTAL MAGSAYSAY (LINUGOS)
MISAMIS ORIENTAL SUGBONGCOGON

KALAHI-CIDSS will still operate under the Disaster Response Operations Modality (DROM) which seeks to deliver COVID-19 related sub-projects in communities along the areas of health, water and sanitation, and economic recovery.

During the FGDs, the RPMO laid out the documentary requirements for LGU enrollment in the Program to ensure timely implementation of sub-projects in the communities responsive to the needs of this pandemic.

Volunteering is a burden to some, but not with Rosalia Anliston, from Brgy. Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon. Rose, to her friends and family, has been devoting her time to worthy causes in her community.

Barangay Kisolon is home to the Higaunon Indigenous Peoples (IPs). In her Purok, Rose is the IP President and the current Secretary of their local Tribal Council. She is also involved in DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as a parent leader.

Volunteer work is not new to rose. She has been active in different civic organizations and has tasted the bittersweet gratification of volunteerism over the years. With eight children to look after, there were times when Rose wanted to remain indifferent with the affairs of her community, but she says her children and the organizations she is involved with inspires her like no other.

But not everything goes well with Rose and her big heart for the community. One time, she was involved in a project during its preparation and planning stage, but was left out during the implementation. She was then called back only to sign the project’s completion report.

It was a disappointing experience for Rose because all she ever wanted was to be involved in every step of the way. Even without her financial counterpart, she says her time and effort is enough to leave a lasting legacy in her community.

“Dili sayon mag volunteer, kapuyon ko usahay, pero  nakahatag kini nako og dakong kalipay hilabina kung naka contribute ko sa kaayohan para sa among grupo ug komunidad.”
(It’s not easy to be a volunteer, I feel exhausted sometimes, but volunteering gives me joy especially when I have contributed to the welfare of our organization and community.)

Barangay Kisolon is a beneficiary of the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Indigenous People Community-Driven Development (PAMANA IP-CDD) program. Here, community members identify, design and implement priority projects to address local development challenges.

Lately, Rose has been an active member of the Project Preparation Team for their proposed sub-project under PAMANA IP-CDD—an Isolation facility to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

“A blessing in this time of crisis” This is how Rose describes the sub-project that she and her fellow volunteers are currently working on.

DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS admires people like Rose whose beliefs and convictions about volunteerism and active citizenship drive the positive change we want to see in our communities. Engagement without the publicity and hype, only genuine desire to take action and to be useful for the common good.

DSWD Field Office X Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services otherwise known as Kalahi-CIDSS is seeking support from Region 10 congresspersons for the institutionalization of Community-riven development (CDD) approach as the proposed bill undergoes committee hearings at the House of Representatives.

In a courtesy visit on Friday, May 14, Kalahi-CIDSS-10 Deputy Regional Program Manager Engr. Abobacar D. Tocalo met with Bukidnon 2^nd District Representative Hon. Jonathan Keith T. Flores and Valencia City Councilor Atty. Teodoro Roteo T. Pepito on behalf of 4^th District Representative Hon. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, to relay Kalahi-CIDSS program updates within their districts and campaign for the CDD Institutionalization bill.

Under the 2^nd District, the municipality of San Fernando in the previous year received 20 million worth of COVID-19 related community-based projects from Kalahi-CIDSS’ disaster response modality. The Program also recently completed all its projects found in three barangays in San Fernando intended for the livelihood of the Matigsalug-Manobo Indigenous Peoples. Construction of a 1-unit Tribal Hall with Tulugan is also ongoing in barangay Namnam, while a tulugan will also be constructed for the Higaunon tribe in barangay La Fortuna, municipality of Impasug-ong.

Tocalo reported that 2^nd District Bukidnon municipalities: Cabanglasan, San Fernando and Lantapan will implement Community-Based Response for COVID (CBRC) projects starting on the second semester this year.

“Thank you for informing us. I usually pass by Kalahi-CIDSS projects but I didn’t know about the program until you came along”, Flores said.

“I will support the bill,” he continued.

The courtesy visit was timely as Flores shared about an upcoming committee hearing on the CDD Bill on May 20.   

For the 4^th District under Cong. Roque, Tocalo reported 16 million worth of COVID-19 response projects delivered in the municipality of Kalilangan, and an ongoing road concreting worth 1.5 million funded by Kalahi-CIDSS in barangay Poblacion, Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Kalilangan will also implement CBRC projects next semester worth 20 million in its 14 barangays.

Moreover, two barangays within both districts this year will implement cash-for-work projects related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) worth 1.5 million each from Kalahi-CIDSS Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KC-KKB).

Pepito sees no problem with Cong. Roque supporting the CDD institutionalization bill and is appreciative of Kalahi-CIDSS’ effort to strengthen ties with District Representatives in the region.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It uses the Community-driven development strategy in helping communities improve their access to basic services by empowering people to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting, and implementation of development projects.

With the institutionalization of the CDD approach, it will operationalize CDD in all government programs, activities, and projects becoming a national strategy for inclusive growth, social protection, and poverty alleviation. DSWD Field Office X will continue to lobby for the passage of the CDD bill among congresspersons in region 10 while harmonizing efforts with them throughout Kalahi-CIDSS’ program implementation within their districts.

In the hinterland province of Bukidnon, more than 30,000 women belong to the Matigsalug-Manobo Tribe. In communities where they thrive, women have a key role in the intergenerational transmission of their cultural heritage.

The knowledge of traditional medicine, the properties of plants, seeds and herbs, animal life, oral tradition designs that are applied in the visual art, traditional cloths, and artifacts, are actively preserved by women.

But what about taking leadership roles?

Being full-time homemakers, the Matigsalug-Manobo women shy away from community participation and decision makings.

When nominated for a leadership position, women would refuse and reason out that household chores and taking care of children are already overwhelming. They would seek first ideas and approval of men who would often emphasize women’s existing burdens at home leading to turning down of potential crucial community engagement.

The patriarchal traditions in most IP communities have branded the IP women as timid and inferior.

When DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) penetrated the IP communities like the Matigsalug-Manobo to deliver priority community projects, it urged women to finally come out of their shells.

The program uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy that requires 30% of women participation in the identification and construction of these sub-projects. During the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) facilitated by KALAHI-CIDSS, men and women alike learn to speak out and give details of the communities’ needs by participating in the local development process.

Gloria Alub Disalan is a Matigsalug from barangay Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon. She led the team of community volunteers for the construction of their Tribal Hall and Livelihood Center.

Before, even going to the barangay hall and meeting with non-IP (Bisaya) officials is a taboo especially for the women. But with the Program, this barrier had been broken and gender gaps had been closed.

  “Pwede diay mi makaapil pag naay mga husayon ug pwede diay mi makasturya para sa kaayuhan” (We realized that women can participate in tribal court hearings and can speak out for positive change)

Today, the Matigsalug-Manobo tribe not only hold meetings in the tribal hall for their customary practices, it also serves as a livelihood center for capacity building activities among Matigsalug women who make unique banig designs for livelihood.          

Gloria is thankful for the program because according to her, “nakamata gyud mi sa among papel.” (We found our purpose)

She, along with the other IP women, are no longer just tied to housekeeping and motherhood roles, they are also now women of action in their respective communities and tribe; able to make informed decisions and take on the lead toward their collective welfare.

This picture was taken on the last day of the training at Creek Travelers Inn
Poblacion Catarman Camiguin. On the picture were Probinsyano SLPA composed of 12
members together with Maam Leah Bucog-trainor, Sir Mc Harry S. Madlos-PMEO and
Maam Lurline C. Pulvera-IPDO. The training was successfully done in partnership with
MLGU and BFAR.

The Probinsyano SLPA received funds from Sustainable Livelihood Program
under Microenterprise modality amounting to One Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (P
180,000) and fish processing training amounting to Sixty One Thousand Pesos (P
61,000) pesos. The project implemented were Fishing Boat with Fish processing
training. SLPA plans to continue their livelihood project and to be sustainable for more
years to come. Also SLPA aims to earn more profits and to expand their business. Out
of 12 members of SLPA, 2 were members of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and
10 were from Listahanan. The training of fish processing was conducted in (5) days
from March 15-19, 2021 and the venue was located at Creek Traveler’s Inn barangay
Poblacion, Catarman Camiguin.

The SLPA was organized last May 2019 at barangay Tangaro, Catarman
Camiguin and was funded last September 10, 2020 and after 15 days they started to
operate fishing boat project and for a couple of weeks, fishing boat has been blessed
and caught many fishes. Despite of the current pandemic, SLPA were still operating
their livelihood project and after the fish processing training they have already an area
for snack/food vending that is marketable like fish ball, imbotedo, fish lamayo and
tempura at Purok-2 barangay Tangaro, Catarman, Camiguin.

Naghugpong ang mga council of elders sa Higaunon sa lungsod sa Sumilao ug Impasug-ong, Bukidnon alang sa usa ka Pamuhat ug Ancestral Domain Assembly isip pagdawat ug pag-suporta sa Community-driven development (CDD) program sa DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS.

Ang mga barangay sa Kisolon, Lupiagan, ug Poblacion sakop sa Sumilao, ug barangay La Fortuna sa Impasug-ong ang mga benepisyaryo sa programa nga dunay pondo gikan sa Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) ilawom sa Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) framework.

Ang OPAPP ug DSWD nagtimbayayong sa paghatod og mga proyekto partikular ngadto sa mga IP pinaagi sa CDD nga stratehiya.

Tulo ka Tribal Hall with Tulugan nga dugay nang gipangandoy sa tribo, ug usa ka Isolation Facility ang mga proyekto nga target ipatuman sa mga Higaunon ilawom sa Cycle 1 nga implementasyon.

Buot mohangyo ang KADIMADT o Kitanglad, Alihuton, Danao, Inalad, Man-Egay AD Title og dugang pondo sa OPAPP, pinaagi sa usa ka resolusyon, para sa mga proyekto sa Sumilao nga dunay kasamtangang budget nga tag Php600,000 matag barangay. Samtang 1.2 million ang solo nga i-implementar sa barangay La Fortuna, Impasug-ong.

Ang IP-CDD gitan-aw nga mopalig-on sa koordinasyon sa mga Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) ug local government unit sa mga hisgotanan sa kalambuan ug kalinaw ubos sa mga lugar nga gipuy-an ug gidumala sa mga IP.

“Atong suportahan ang DSWD sa ilang mga programa ug stratehiya aron molungtad kita sa atong pakigbisog [ngadto sa kalinaw ug kalambuan].” Mensahe ni Impasug-ong Municipal Administrator Ben Gabriel Uy.

“Panghingusgan gyud nato ni kay para ni sa atong mga kabataan, ang atong mga future nga mga Datu ug Bae.” Dugang niya.

Gidasig usab ni Uy ang tribo nga ipakita ang ilang hugot nga suporta sa CDD Institutionalization Bill nga kasamtangan giduso karon sa kongreso sa DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS.

Ang CDD ga-ila nga ang katawhan adunay gahom sa pagsulbad sa mga suliran sa ilang katilingban pinaagi sa mga prinispyo sa pakighilambigit, kadayag, ug may tulubagon.

Nagtamod ug sensitibo ang IP-CDD sa Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices (IKSP) ug naglantaw sa mga safeguards pagsiguro nga ang mga proyekto dili makadaot sa katawhan ug kinaiyahan.

Hantod tulo ka cycle o tulo ka tuig pa ang programa sa IP-CDD sa mga nasangpit nga lugar ug mohatod sa mga proyekto nga gi-ugmad sa katawhan pinaagi sa community-driven development.