Ma. Annabelle S. Jabla, Kalahi-CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager, discusses Kalahi-CIDSS program background and conditions for Local Government Unit (LGU) participation.
Davao City – Heightening community participation at the grass-roots level has always been the aim of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).
On April 22, DSWD hosted a Local Government Unit (LGU) Forum for the 11 municipalities that will undertake Kalahi-CIDSS beginning CY 2015.
The one day orientation emphasized the program overview, size of block grants, and conditions for LGU participation.
Present were LGU officials and representatives from the municipalities of Baganga, Braulio E. Dujali, Lupon, Kiblawan, Jose Abad Santos, Malalag, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, Montevista, Sarangani and San Isidro, Davao del Norte.
Eligible to participate in Kalahi-CIDSS are 4th to 6th class municipalities with poverty incidence higher than the national average of 25% based on the 2009 small area estimates of NSCB (National Statistical Coordinating Board), 1st to 3rd class municipalities with poverty incidence of 40% higher, and Yolanda-affected provinces.
“We want to help the poorest of the poor, the ones that need prioritization. We make the community come up with their own criteria, and then score the population according to that criteria,” said Nick Elvi Digol, Community Development Specialist of Kalahi- CIDSS.
According to Ma. Annabelle S. Jabla, Deputy Regional Program Manager of Kalahi-CIDSS, the incoming 11 municipalities will have a total grant of Php 173,980,750 million.
“The LGU will only raise a counterpart of 10-15% based on their respective Local Development Fund (LDF), to signify equitable capacity and accountability in the projects executed in the community. After considering income class and allocation population per capita, this counterpart can be paid in cash or in kind.”
Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project of the Philippine Government that aims to empower communities through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance and poverty alleviation projects.
After the orientation, LGU representatives sealed their support through the signing of a manifesto symbolizing their pledge of commitment.
Kalahi-CIDSS is now on its 12th year. It was scaled-up in 2014 as Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP (National Community Driven Development Program). With the 11 new towns, Kalahi-CIDSS is set to operate in 375 more barangays. DSWD