Manila – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Kalahi-CIDSS Region XI garnered three awards during the 1^st Gawad Kalahi Awards and Project Review and Evaluation Workshop held at Hotel H2O.

Gawad Kalahi Awards aims to recognize all the efforts of internal Kalahi-CIDSS workers based on program operation and implementation.

DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat together with Assistant Regional Director for Administration Ma. Vilia L. Vigil, and the members of Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) received the awards from DSWD Undersecretary for Operations and Programs Group Camilo G. Gudmalin and Kalahi-CIDSS National Program Manager Benilda E. Redaja.

Region XI received three awards namely: Gawad Kalahi for Innovation and Breakthrough in Community Driven Development Management, Best Performing Region in Government of Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (GOA-DFAT) Implementation, and Best Performing Region under Small Category.

Undersecretary Gudmalin acknowledged the efforts of each region in bringing Community-Driven Development into fruition.

“The efforts of the implementers in different regions are motivations to keep on striving to do more. Through simple acts, we can achieve something big. Through Community Driven Development, let us work together to make something great,” Undersecretary Gudmalin emphasized in his welcome remarks.

To date, Kalahi-CIDSS operates in five provinces in Region XI. The program is in 27 municipalities with a total community cash grant of Php 347.09 million.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is a community driven development program of the Philippine Government aiming to empower people through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance, and management of poverty alleviation projects.

The Kalahi-CIDSS annual review and evaluation workshop is conducted to revisit program implementation of regional offices. It is a venue to provide program updates and direction for the following cycle year implementation. (DSWD)