Women at work.

KAPALONG, Davao del Norte (DSWD XI) – Beaming with confidence, 40 year-old Michelle Lagarto, along with her fellow women community volunteers, proudly shared how their lives changed through Kalahi-CIDSS.

Lagarto and her fellow women volunteers in Barangay Katipunan here successfully led the construction of a P 2,119,839.00-worth 1,300 Linear Meter Drainage Canal through Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP modality.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of the core programs of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to empower communities through enhanced participation in local governance and management of poverty alleviation projects.

The program also promotes inclusion of women in paid physical labor, planning, and decision making for social development issues at the community level.

Challenged

Initially, the Kalahi-CIDSS program was a challenge to the women in Katipunan.

“In the beginning, many women were hesitant to join since it is the first time that they would balance their tasks between the community and the home,” admitted Lagarto, a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer for four years now.

“For the longest time, most women have stayed in the four corners of their home taking care of their children and husband, resolutely doing never-ending domestic chores,” said DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

Director Jabagat said, “Through Kalahi-CIDSS, we get to help these women gain more skills beyond what they can perform in their homes. In the end, they feel fulfilled that somehow they are also capable and substantially contributing.”

The program also provides opportunities for a leadership position to most women. This way, they get to hone their strengths, and improve their self-esteem, Director Jabagat added.

“Joining Kalahi-CIDSS has given us this confidence that we can learn about new things and make our lives better,” Lagarto said, adding that even though they are not paid, they get a lot of experience and learn so much from the experience.

“Nag-pile mi sa mga hollow blocks, nagbayanihan mi sa paghakot sa mga materyales sa site. Ang sub-proyekto, among gisabutan sa mga volunteers diri nga dapat mahuman gyud namo kini sa takdang oras (We piled hollow blocks, we hauled construction materials to the site. We agreed among volunteers here that we should complete the sub-project on time).”

Through the volunteer system, four community clusters (puroks) have been able to benefit from the sub-project. These puroks used to be prone to flooding. Hopefully, never again would water overflow and flood homes when it rains hard in Katipunan.

Women count

Based on DSWD records, 55% of Kalahi-CIDSS community volunteers in Region XI are women -8,645 volunteers and laborers in the construction of community sub-projects.

With this opportunity at their fingertips, women become more involved in Barangay Katipunan’s development.

“I am thankful to Kalahi-CIDSS for its support in creating this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and for other female community volunteers,” said Lagarto.

Women in Barangay Katipunan have overcome the barriers and happily emerged as empowered game changers. (DSWD)

DAVAO CITY (DSWD XI) – Professional social workers from all over the region who are members of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. – Davao City Chapter (PASWI) will gather on July 22, Friday at 1:00 p.m. for their Annual General Assembly.

Venue will be at the Green and Fuchsia rooms, SP Building, San Pedro St.

“We urge all members from local government units, non-government organizations, national government, medical sector, academe, industry and other sectors to attend and be updated, and contribute in advancing the emerging developments in the social work milieu,” Liwayway A. Caligdong, PASWI Davao President and Assistant Department Head of City Social Services and Development Services stressed.

Caligdong said one of the topics up for discussion is Republic Act 10847 of 2016 or An Act Lowering the Age Requirement for Applicants Taking the Board Examination for Social Workers, Providing for Continuing Social Work Education, and Upgrading the Sundry Provisions Relative to the Practice of Social Work.

PASWI is the only accredited professional organization of social workers in the whole Philippines.

The organization is focused in promoting the cause of the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized sectors of society and enhancing the knowledge and skills of the social work professionals.

Other continuing activities initiated by PASWI-Davao include skills enhancement seminars for its more than 100 members, annual celebration of the World Social Work Day, and annual hosting of the Oath Taking Ceremony for Passers of Social Work Licensure Examination.

For details of the assembly, members my contact Norman B. Baloro, PASWI-Davao Secretary at mobile number 0999-991-6903. (DSWD)