The DSWD Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) has activated the Disaster Response Operation Procedure (DROP) to aid Local Government Units in managing COVID-19 crisis in their locality.

“DROP is a modality adopted by KALAHI-CIDSS whenever there is a disaster so we can respond immediately to the needs of the community,” Project Development Officer IV-Infrastructure, Engr. Abobacar Tocalo, of DSWD Field Office X Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) said.

A total of PHP120-million worth of COVID-19 related response programs will be implemented to eight (8) municipalities in Region 10. Seven (7) of which are from Bukidnon, one (1) from Lanao del Norte.

            Province                      Municipality                No. of Barangays       Community Grant

            Bukidnon                     San Fernando                            24                    20,000,000

            Bukidnon                     Quezon                                       31                   20,000,000

            Bukidnon                     Kitaotao                                     35                    19,795,200

            Bukidnon                     Damulog                                   17                    12,769,000

            Bukidnon                     Kibawe                                       23                    12,518,450

            Bukidnon                     Kalilangan                                 14                    15,938,800

            Lanao del Norte          Pantar                                       21                      9,220,000

            Bukidnon                     Malitbog                                   11                      9,781,200

Total                 176                120,022,650

Under DROP, eligible sub-projects related to health and local economic recovery will be financed by KALAHI-CIDSS such as procurement of PPEs and medical equipment, retrofitting of isolation units, repair of water systems, livelihood related activities, etc.

“DSWD will provide the funds, technology and manpower to LGU and barangays in implementing these projects,” Community Development Officer-IV, Roger Alabado, DSWD Field Office X RPMO said.

KALAHI field staff in the (8) municipalities have already finished conducting municipal orientation on DROP, gaining support from Local Chief Executives through the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and DSWD. Barangay DRRMC meetings are lined up within the next few weeks for planning and project implementation kick-off.

“We are only given three (3) months to implement the sub-projects so that the benefits will be felt immediately by the community”, added Tocalo.

Maintaining the principles of Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, KALAHI-CIDSS aims to mobilize the community by giving them control over their (1) decision making, (2) management of resources, and making sure there is (3) sustainability of the project.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Proclamation No. 929 on March 16, 2020, declaring a State of National Calamity for a period of six (6) months prompted the new modality of KALAHI-CIDSS towards disaster response.

All sub-projects undertaken by the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) are to strictly follow the Department of Health (DOH) standards and protocols, ensuring close coordination with the Municipal Health Officer in the implementation of these community-based projects.