Community-built access roads are accelerating development in eight barangays in Region X as the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program winds down in 2025.
A total of 2.182 kilometers of road subprojects, including drainage canals, were completed in Barangays Salimpuno and Macabibo in Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental; Barangays Kalitian, Poblacion, and Salubsob in Kinoguitan; and Barangays Valdeconcha, Dampias, and Mabini in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental.
The road projects have improved mobility for daily commuters, enabled faster delivery of basic services, and supported livelihood and economic activities in the beneficiary communities.
Jonalyn Lloren, a community volunteer for the project in Barangay Mabini, said the new access road will also help residents reach the newly constructed Mega Health Center, which is set to operate soon.
“Nakita nako sa among implementation nga supportive kaayo ang mga community volunteers, barangay council, ug municipal LGU. Involved gyud ang tanan,” Lloren said.
(I have seen strong support from the community volunteers, barangay council, and the municipal LGU during the implementation. Everyone was truly involved.)
KALAHI-CIDSS’ community-driven development approach allows community members and local officials to work together in project identification, procurement, construction, and sustainability.
The program also provided temporary employment to 178 local residents, with a total labor cost of PHP 1.3 million. The eight subprojects, valued at PHP 32 million, were implemented under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay and Pag-abot modalities of KALAHI-CIDSS, benefiting nearly 3,000 households in Region X.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) reported a very satisfactory rating of 90 percent for its 221 subprojects during its second sustainability evaluation tests, indicating that the facilities remain operational and well-maintained. PMNP-funded subprojects in 2024 include day care centers, toilets, water systems, and handwashing facilities.
“Because of our intervention, we assisted 221 civil society organizations in 213 barangays in renewing their registration. This is important as they serve as the identified lobby groups for our subprojects. We also updated their Operation and Maintenance Programs and Plans to ensure appropriate budget allocation for maintenance,” said Social Development Unit head Rogelio Alabado.
In addition, KALAHI-CIDSS’ cash-for-work program served 662 college graduates and students, as well as 1,000 persons with disabilities, providing short-term financial support to low-income individuals and families.
KALAHI-CIDSS will transition to a new project in 2026 with the implementation of the Panahon ng Pagkilos–Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP). The five-year, World Bank-funded modality will focus on strengthening community capacities in resilience planning and will cover 23 target municipalities, each allocated PHP 50 million to PHP 70 million in investments.