Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – Eight local chief executives attended the workshop organized by Kalahi-CIDSS MiMaRoPa last September 24, 2013. The activity was held in order to let the LCEs know of the updates on the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS on their municipalities, and likewise to address issues and concerns which they may have.

The 11 municipalities which Kalahi-CIDSS covers for 2011 and 2012 were all well-represented. There were also representatives from the Provincial Government and national agencies such as DILG who participated in the activity. Nonetheless, also in attendance were KC National Project Manager Benilda Redaja and Deputy National Project Manager Tomas Cabuenos.

“No one should be left behind in development. Kalahi-CIDSS would want and would still maintain to contribute to this slogan, aside from its three-pronged objectives of empowering the people, improving local governance, and reducing poverty,” said Regional Director Wilma Naviamos, as she welcomed the participants in the activity. She said that the role of local chief executives is crucial not only in the Kalahi-CIDSS but also in other programs implemented by the Department.

Part of the workshop is the presentation of the progress and investment of Kalahi-CIDSS in the region. Assistant Regional Director Annie Mendoza presented the report and briefly discussed the amount of Kalahi-CIDSS grant for the province, the total amount disbursed, and the number of completed sub-projects.

Hon. Hercules Umali, local chief executive of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro and Kalahi-CIDSS advocate, shared their municipality’s experience in Kalahi-CIDSS. A video presentation of various sub-projects built on the municipality of Bongabong was shown to attest how the project changed the municipality during its three-year implementation. Notably, Bongabong was able to implement 30 sub-projects in three years, with an additional 12 sub-projects from its Makamasang Tugon modality. The Makamasang Tugon is a one-year incentive to good performing LGUs who have successfully implemented KALAHI-CIDSS. Sub-projects in Bongabong include school buildings, day care centers, health stations, and water system.

Mayor Umali encouraged his fellow LCEs to fully engage themselves in activities of Kalahi-CIDSS, particularly with the barangay assemblies. This is to better understand the situation of their constituents and also come up with a plan at the level of the local government to address the problems.

An open forum was held to which the several LCEs air their concerns toward the procurement process which impede the sub-project implementation. Provincial Engineer Saylito Purisima said that the provincial government will help and coordinate with those municipalities regarding the issue.

To date, nine municipalities of Palawan (Aborlan, Agutaya, Coron, Cuyo, Cagayancillo, Narra, Taytay, Quezon, Sofronio Espanola) are already in the sub-project implementation stage of Kalahi-CIDSS. From a a total of 53 sub-projects to be implemented in Palawan, twelve sub-projects were already completed. Majority is still on-going in the implementation and is also set to finish before December.

KALAHI-CIDSS or Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is the government’s flagship anti-poverty project funded by Millennium Challenge Corporation which aims to eradicate poverty through improving local governance and empowering the communities. Noteworthy, the project utilizes the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach. ###