Lanao del Norte — “Our involvement and commitment to the community-driven development brings reconciliation and peace”, says 47-year old Inorac S. Dibaratun of Matungao, this province.
Inorac , a Maranao and the Municipal Planning Development Officer of Matungao Lanao del Norte has been an active community volunteer in Barangay Tugar during his high school days till he graduated from college in 1989. Religious and devoted, he believes that camaraderie and team work can bring peace and development in their community.
Before he became one of the volunteers of KC-PAMANA , he was then a good friend of his barangay chairman, who happens to be his youthful playmates. They had the same common goal in life which is to bring peace and development in their community while they were still studying in school. He graduated from college and became an engineer and eventually appointed as the Municipal Planning Development Officer, his good friend was then elected as Barangay Chairman.
“Natingala jud mi karon, sa dihang nahimo na silang duha nga mga professional, isip isa ka MPDO ug isa ka Kapitan. Nausab na ilang panag-higala-ay, lahi rajud sa una nga mga estudyante pa sila ug isa pa sila sa atong mga batan-ong lider nga adunay gyod silay suod nga relasyon (we were really wondering, after they both became professionals, one is our MPDO and the other is our Barangay Chairman.it is now totally different compared when they were students and youth leaders, when they used to have a close relationship),” according to Rogelio Canillo one of the volunteers.
The two started their conflict when Inorac became the MPDO, where he was so dedicated to his job to the point he criticized and questioned the project implemented by his friend Barangay Chairman. Because of this, their friendship was affected, although he took it professionally but his friend can’t accept it, so they became worst enemies. “There were times he harassed me and make trouble or chaos to our community that every citizen feels distress”, Inorac shared.
It was in 2013, Inorac volunteered to assist in the implementation of Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services –(KALAHI CIDSS-PAMANA) in their community. KALAHI CIDSS- is a flagship anti-poverty program of the national government that empowers communities to be involved in development through community-driven development approach (CDD).
Trait of a leader
As a MPDO, he finds it easy to encourage his neighbors to volunteer for the Program. “They already observed my vision, mission and principles in life, which is to bring peace and sustainable development,” he says.
“Siya jud nagpadasig kanamo nga mga volunteer sa KALAHI-CIDSS kay nakita namo iyang commitment ug dedikasyon sa programa (he is the one who inspire us to volunteer in KALAHI-CIDSS because we feel his commitment and dedication to the program),” according to Ailene Dagoc one of the volunteers.
Instrument for change
Through his compassion, concern and commitment to persuade other volunteers, he never stop visiting all barangays and shared the goals of KALAHI CIDSS- PAMANA until it opened the eyes and heart of every citizen including his long lost friend who was encouraged by what he saw with his good friend for being a model and a good shepherd to the community. “He reassured volunteers not to lose hope in surpassing poverty thru unity and solidarity”, says Guadalupe a fellow volunteer.
A different perspective
KALAHI CIDSS-PAMANA through the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach has a positive impact to the people’s perception towards government projects “Sa tinoud lang daghan nami’g mga proyekto gikan sa gobyerno kaso lang puro saad ug pagsugod ra taman walay nahuman, pero sa dihang gisulod na ang kalahi-cidds pamana nausab jud ang panglantaw sa maga tao kay nakita jud namo ang kala-inan sa konsepto sa programa, nga kami jud ang nagbuhat sa plano ug kami pud nag implementar sa proyekto ug tungod ani nausab among mga panglantaw labi na sa uban tao nga ilang huna-huna pakigbatok lang sa gobyerno ug labi na gyud akong amigo nga si kapitan nga dati against jud sya sa mga programa sa gobyerno pero karon tungod sa kc-pamana nausab ilang panglantaw kay nakita man gyud nila kung unsa jud ang pamaagi sa kc-pamana ug tungod ani na balik among pagka amigo ug mao kini ang hinungdan nga sucesful among implementasyon sa pamana sa among community, sama sa water system ug farm to market road nga diin daghan kanamo ang naka benipesyo. (the truth is there were a lot of government projects introduced before but, were never fully implemented and were only good at the start. When KC-PAMANA was introduced in our municipality, people changed their perspective because we saw the difference compared to other projects, considering that we are involved from the planning, decision-making, and the implementation process like we plan, we decide and we implement. Because of this concept, our views before have shifted. My neighbors and my old friend Barangay Chairman used to be negative against the government but eventually, we realized the goals of KC-PAMANA which is for the good of people such as the water system and farm to market road, where a lot of us benefited. With this, our friendship was reconciled which was essential for the successful implementation of the project and it is the key of success in the implementation of the project,” Inorac says.” “Dahil sa aming pagkakaisa at respeto sa bawat isa kaya namin maabot ang kayapa-an at Kaunlaran” he added.
Written by: Luis T. Arquiza, DSWD