With 1,469 projects completed across Northern Mindanao, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services aims for the sustainability of projects and the institutionalization of its community-driven development (CDD) approach in partner local government units.

To ensure the long-term impact of completed projects, the program trains partner stakeholders at the municipal and barangay levels in operation and maintenance (O&M) activities.

People’s organizations, civil society groups, the barangay, and municipal local government are tapped to implement sustainability mechanisms and budget allocation to ensure the projects continue to serve their purpose.

“Through sustainability and institutionalization, transparency and accountability is practiced by the LGU and the community to continue CDD gains not only by taking ownership in ensuring that completed project is in good condition but sustained functional O&M groups,” said Atty. Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin, Kalahi-CIDSS National Program Manager.

The program seeks to continue empowering communities by engaging locals to have control over decisions and resources in maintaining the project.

Meanwhile, partner LGUs have signified a commitment to harmonizing CDD elements in their local planning process and institutionalizing them through a municipal resolution or ordinance. Kalahi-CIDSS advocates the adoption of CDD key activities in the LGU planning and investment programming cycle in every program implementation. CDD is fundamentally grounded in the principles of barangay development planning established in Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.  It mandates LGUs to create a local development council tasked with creating a comprehensive multi-sectoral development plan under the principles of participation, transparency, and accountability.