DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman discusses the convergence of the nine core programs of the department, the DSWD strategic goals, and the ‘new normal’ in disaster during a recent consultation meeting with DSWD 11 workers. Also in photo are [from left] Director Priscilla N. Razon and Assistant Director for Administration Mila T. Segovia. DSWD

CAMBAGANG, MARAGUSAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY – “Water is one of the basic necessities of life. Here in our Barangay, we consider water as life,” stressed Cambagang Barangay Captain Jimmy Ambasan at the blessing of the rehabilitated Potable Water System (PWS) funded through Kalahi-CIDSS DSWD.

After months of continuous brainstorming, rigorous planning and implementation, the rehabilitation of the Potable Water System is finally complete and is now accessible for public use.

Water was one of the major difficulties in the community.

Though, there was a water reservoir in the area, people residing in farther sitios could barely obtain water for their daily needs. Unless they hike far, they would remain waterless with their mouths and containers running dry.

With the few connections [water spouts] available, only a few households could readily access the water system.

A number of residents of barangay Cambagang would walk for an hour just to fetch water from the nearest water pipe. However, out of neglect, water pipes began bearing damages and subsequent ruptures.

Then entered DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) which invests in empowering people and in advancing peace-promoting community projects.

Having undergone the distinct Kalahi-CIDSS social preparation process which involves orientation, community assemblies, participatory situation analysis, and validation, the community then signified to pursue repair or rehab of their surviving water system.

In the execution of the community project, the womenfolk took a leap of faith as they registered a high participation rate.

“There are only a handful of men in our barangay but I am very pleased that our women worked and heavily involved themselves in constructing this project,” Barangay Captain Ambasan proudly shared.

He is hoping that more projects would continue to arrive in their village because this will not only make their lives easy but would also build camaraderie within the community.

Having augmented the pipes and rehabilitated the impaired ones, fresh and precious water can now easily be had by households even in farthest sitios.

Residents are deeply grateful that Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA came to their barangay, assisting them in solving their problems.

Some 319 families are now enjoying the gift of water which they helped realize.

At the blessing ceremonies, overjoyed beneficiary-families were joined by Assistant Director Ma. Vilia L. Vigil of DSWD, LGU leaders, DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS team members and volunteers.

In her message, Assistant Director Vigil imparted that “Kalahi-CIDSS-PAMANA guide communities to become accountable to the project. It is all up to the residents on how to maintain the water system. They have to do keen monitoring and lay down rules so that it will be easy to come up with solutions should there be any future problem with the project.”

After the turnover and blessing, DSWD then launched the Kalahi-CIDSS new cycle in Maragusan. All participants from the LGU and DSWD signed the Manifesto of Support to signify their commitment to work together for peace and development. DSWD

Davao City – DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman will be here in the city on Friday, May 2, to attend the 45^th Coop Leaders’ Congress and 40^th MASS-SPECC General Assembly at the SMX Convention Center, Lanang Davao City.

After which, the Secretary will then proceed to the Grand Men Seng Hotel for a Consultation Meeting with the Regional Staff of DSWD XI.

The Secretary will talk about “Exploring Effective Partnerships” in relation to the Mindanao Alliance Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC) ever-growing cooperative endeavors.

MASS-SPECC now serves more than 300 primary cooperatives mostly in Mindanao, with over 1 million individual members.

With over one billion pesos in assets, MASS-SPECC is the biggest regional cooperative federation in the country today.

Over the years, it has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of affiliate cooperatives, delivering services to help them grow into one strong movement.

More than financial and institutional stability, MASS-SPECC fuels the passion of co-operators to become living examples of the Co-op philosophy, principles and values.

In the afternoon, the Secretary will hold a consultation dialogue with DSWD Regional Staff to discuss issues and concerns relative to the implementation of DSWD programs and services and come up with feasible and expeditious response to these concerns.

MASS-SPECC envisage a strong and sustainable Mindanao-based confederation of viable and people-oriented cooperatives by fostering and strengthening financial institutions, promoting cooperatives as  a distinct sector and establishing linkages with stakeholders.

DSWD, on the other hand, envisions a society where the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged are empowered for an improved quality of life.

Towards this end, DSWD will be the world’s standard for the delivery of coordinated social services and social protection for poverty reduction by 2030.  DSWD