WOMEN @WORK. Chief of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Davao Region Mercedita P. Jabagat receives a Certificate of Appreciation following her testimony on her struggles and triumphs as a long time solo parent to her two sons. The event is one of the empowering initiatives that features some DSWD women workers in celebration of the International Women’s Month under its theme, We Make Change Work for Women. Presenting the certificate are [from left] DSWD Chief of Protective Services Division Ma. Elena S. Labrador, OIC Assistant Regional Director for Operations Alfredo M. Sy, Assistant Regional Director for Administration Raquel E. Nuñez, and Focal Person on Women and Head of Community Based Unit Dalmin Faith A. Igaña. Other activities marking the worldwide observance are Women’s March, Radio Interviews, Forum on Gender Based Violence, Women Summit, Zumba, Orientation on Women and Family Laws, among others. (DSWD XI)

New Bataan adopts Kalahi-CIDSS community driven approach

New Bataan, Compostela Valley (DSWD XI) – “Babangon Tayo, New Bataan”, plastered in big, bold letters on the concrete fence approaching the municipal hall building, is the battle cry of the people of New Bataan after having been hit hardest in December 2012 by Tropical Storm Pablo. The onslaught of TS Pablo also known as Typhoon Bopha wreaked havoc, killed hundreds and destroyed countless homes here.

When Kalahi-CIDSS program started in the municipality in 2014, the municipality saw a silver lining after the massive devastation.

With the successful implementation of the program, the town scales up as it adopts the Kalahi-CIDSS Community Driven Development (CDD).

The Kalahi-CIDSS Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) transitioned with the integration of CDD approach in the Local Development Planning Process (LDPP), which heightened the roles of Local Government Unit as front liner in the implementation.

The local government now brings to the forefront the lessons and experiences from the Kalahi-CIDSS implementation as it takes the lead in the programs, projects and activities in the municipality and barangays using CDD.

According to New Bataan Municipal Mayor Geraldford M. Balbin, it took some time before they bounced back following the devastation of Typhoon Pablo.

As much as they wanted to immediately rehabilitate and build infrastructures, they knew they will be needing more allocation to address the most pressing needs of their municipality. After all, they are building back not only the infrastructures wrecked by the typhoon but also the hope and resilience of the community.

Adopting community driven development

“The municipal government has felt the need of the communities. Hence, the plan to have a Community Driven Development (CDD) ordinance was conceptualized after we’ve seen the impact of CDD, having completed the cycles of the program,” Mayor Balbin shared.

 “We came up with the integration of CDD approach in the Local Development Planning Process (LDPP). There’s a bigger audience in the Barangay Development Council (BDC), there’s more participation not only from the community volunteers but also of the leaders. If they are more knowledgeable, they will have a voice to express in the government on what projects that address their most pressing need,” Atty. Mar Bianca Cualing – Brua, Municipal Councilor explained.

She added, her co-members in the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) now understand the concept of participative governance and this inspired them to come up with a municipal ordinance which came to be known as “An Ordinance Adopting the Kalahi-CIDSS Community-Driven Development (CDD) Approach in the Local Development Planning Processes in the Municipality of New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province”.

“CDD helps improve governance through widen community support through massive volunteerism and responds to the community’s specific needs. Community members are partners in the search for sustainable solutions to development challenges. It ensures community involvement in all stages of the projects from start to finish.”

The adoption of CDD reinforces the LGU roles, tasks, and responsibilities along Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the Millenium Development Goals (MDG), and the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan or “Ambisyon 2040”.

“The Local Government Unit (LGU) decided towards the path of replicating CDD because it is in the frontline of providing technical assistance and guidance to the implementing barangays,” Mayor Balbin said.

The adoption of CDD steps and processes in the local planning processes as practiced aims to increase level of community participation, improve local governance, and reduce poverty at the grassroots level.

“The role of the LGU is to facilitate the community in the process of CDD, and provide grant allocation and access to resources. The LGU helps communities carry out their plans in place to bring their desired sub-projects into fruition,” Beverly Jane B. Dela Peña, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer stressed.

She said they will go through the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum – Participatory Resource Allocation, to rank their proposed sub-projects for funding.

“Our budget for this CDD undertaking will be derived from our development fund worth Php 3 million,” Dela Peña said.

The barangay on the other hand should allocate 15% of development fund as its counterpart to make sure that these identified projects will be completed using CDD approach. This exemplifies the commitment of the group in making the project successful and enlivens the Bayanihan spirit of the community.

“If they cannot give that 15% cash, it can be attributed by let say in the form of services, utilization of barangay hall as venue, and other services they can share. We allow this to ensure their participation in the CDD process,” Dela Peña said.

Mayor Balbin added, the government needs to provide help that has a long-term effect on the community.

The CDD approach of Kalahi-CIDSS helped their municipality rise after the calamity, empowered the communities, and caused them to celebrate their newfound resilience.

“The municipality of New Bataan is an inspiration to other local governments to introduce innovative practices that adopt the CDD approach. The municipality’s initiative is a manifestation that the CDD approach is an effective way to address the needs of the community,” said DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

Gains

Recently, New Bataan, Compostela Valley was recognized by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the Best Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) Implementing Kalahi-CIDSS under the GAPAS awards during the DSWD XI 68^th Anniversary Awarding Ceremony at Davao Convention and Trade Center.

The Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) recognizes DSWD partners for their invaluable support and contribution in the realization of the shared vision of empowering individuals, families, and communities.

To date, a total of 43 sub-projects have been implemented in the municipality with a Kalahi-CIDSS grant allocation worth Php 66,458,000.00.

Presently, the municipality of New Bataan is granted the Kalahi-CIDSS 4^th call implementation with a grant allocation of Php 15,889,652.08. The grant is intended to fund unfunded projects in some barangays in well-performing municipalities.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the programs of DSWD that uses the Community Driven Development approach to empower local communities to undertake their own development projects by actively and directly partaking in local governance in identifying their community needs as well as taking part in implementing projects that will address these needs. (DSWD)

PARTNERS. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat awards a Plaque of Appreciation to Col. Luis Rex D. Bergante INF (GSC) PA, Chief of Staff, 10ID, Philippine Army, for the agency support to DSWD over the years. Joining them are [from left] LTC Ronaldo G. Valdez, INF (GSC) PA, Assistant Chief of Staff for Civilian Military Operations, G7; and Col. Lucito C. Carin, INF (GSC) PA, Division Inspector General, 10ID. The award is one of the highlights during the DSWD 68^th Anniversary Celebration with the theme Partners for Change. (DSWD)

Davao City beneficiaries of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program claim their cash grant from Land Bank officers during the payout on Thursday at SM City Ecoland Annex. To date, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD has listed over 600,000 UCT recipients in Davao Region, all of which were derived from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Social Pension Program and Listahanan. (DSWD)

Recipients of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) during the payout and livelihood fund turnover at SM City Ecoland Annex on Thursday. The event was led by DSWD Undersecretary Rene Glen O. Paje, Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat, Land Bank Recto Manager Jojo S. Alcover, and Land Bank San Pedro Manager Jose B. Dela Cruz. Over 500 program beneficiaries turned up to claim their assistance. (DSWD)

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held its culmination in the celebration of the 68th Anniversary on Monday, March 11, at Davao Convention and Trade Center, with the theme “Partners for Change.”

As one of the highlights of the celebration, the DSWD paid tribute to its partners through an awarding ceremony, recognizing their efforts and contributions, which made a significant impact on the accomplishments on the Agency’s mandate. 

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista personally handed plaques and certificates to the awardees together with Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat and Assistant Regional Director for Administration Raquel N. Nuñez. 

Bautista said in his message that partners from the government sector, non-government organizations, civic groups, and volunteer groups made the job of DSWD lighter and better felt in the grassroots.

Some of the awardees are the Caburan Rural Improvement Club in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental as Best Volunteer Group; Cor Jesu College Br. Polycarp Institute for Community Development Foundation, Inc. as Best Non-Government Organization; Association of Friends of the Home for the Aged, Inc.; the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group XI; and the Buddhist Compassion Relief – Tsu Chi Foundation, among others.

Awards were also given to local government units such as LGU Tagum as Model LGU Implementing Day Care Services and LGU New Bataan for implementing KALAHI-CIDSS.

Regional winners of the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities were also handed over to the City of Davao, Municipality of Braulio Dujali, City of Panabo, and Municipality of Nabunturan.

The DSWD XI also recognized national government agencies, provincial government units, and media partners.

“This year, we hope to better our services by tapping more partners to help our social workers reach out to our program beneficiaries,” Bautista said. (PIA 11)

DAVAO CITY (DSWD XI) – Some 600 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) will convene at SM Ecoland Annex on Thursday, March 14 for the slated cash payout and livelihood fund turnover.

UCT recipients are from barangays 1 to 40 of Davao City while SLP beneficiaries come from the three districts of Davao City.

UCT is the tax subsidy provided for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to help the poor cushion the adverse economic impact of the law for three years starting in 2018.

To 10 million households and individuals in the country, UCT provided cash subsidy of Php200 a month in 2018, Php300 in 2019 and 2020. Thus, beneficiaries received Php2,400.00 in 2018 and will get Php3,600.00 in 2019 and 2020.

Of the 10 million, 4.4 are enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; 2.6 are social pension senior citizen beneficiaries; and the remaining three million come from DSWD’s Listahanan.

In Davao Region, UCT targeted recipients are the 255,300 Pantawid Pamilya households; 254,526 social pension beneficiaries; and the 97,480 poor families under Listahanan.

Meanwhile, SLP aims to enhance the capabilities of poor Filipino households and individuals by strengthening their skills, competencies, abilities, and resources in accessing income-generating opportunities to help improve their socio-economic well-being.

To be launched on Thursday are 26 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) covering 544 beneficiary-families with a funding of Php 5.8 million.

To date, DSWD Davao Region has organized a total of 553 SLPAs with 11,693 beneficiaries and a livelihood fund of Php 153,173,215.00.

Projects undertaken by SLPAs include Hog Fattening, General Merchandise, Goat and Hog Raising, Buying and Selling Fruits, Corn Production, Dressmaking, Food and Fish Processing, Rice Production, Poultry Production, Rice Retailing, Carenderia, Cacao Nursery, Vegetable Production, Banana Production, Basket Making, RTW Buying and Selling, Meat Vending, Vegetable Vending, Bagoong Guisado Making, Food Vending, Motorcycle/Bicycle Parts and Accessories, Tables and Chairs Rentals, Fish Vending, Perfume and Liniment Production, among others. (DSWD)

DSWD@68. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista as keynote speaker at the DSWD XI 68^th Anniversary Awarding Ceremony at Davao Convention and Trade Center on Monday. In his message, he lauded the substantial contribution of DSWD partners and stakeholders in the pursuit of the DSWD mandate of empowering the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged. He also urged the DSWD XI human resource to continue exemplifying the Department core values of Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, Serbisyong Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian, and Patas na Pagtrato sa Komunidad. (DSWD)