Having a vision of empowering communities through enhanced participation in their projects, Kalahi-CIDSS is the change that I longed for when I searched for reforms in the government.

I regained my trust in government and decided to be its supporter when Kalahi-CIDSS entered my barangay. The construction of a Php 1,162,749.00 potable water system sub-project in Barangay Kingking through Kalahi-CIDSS has changed my perspective on government’s sincerity.

The project, aside from providing access to clean and safe water to over 26 thousand residents, prevents insurgency and promotes peace in the area.

The people in the outskirts side felt neglected and had started losing trust in government.  Projects then did not reach the community. People thought government abandoned them.

It was a wake-up call for me to take a leap of chance. Breaking the never ending cycle of dispute is futile. The community will always suffer if the government, the armed rebels, and the community will not find common goals.

The villagers unified and became partners in building the potable water system sub-project in the barangay. Now, people enjoy clean, drinking water, and a more stable water supply for all their household needs. This changed a lot of lives in the area.

I am truly grateful to the government for this project. Even if our community is far from the city, they attended to our needs and made sure we had enough to get by. I now believe there’s hope in combatting poverty as long as we unite ourselves in helping our communities.

Several of our residents here also reaped benefits from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Sustainable Livelihood Pogram. (DSWD)

-Virgilio M. Tengogue, 56, former NPA member [for 27 years] and Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer of Barangay Kingking, Pantukan, Compostela Valley