Community volunteers from Brgy. Sibahay in Boston, Davao Oriental said that the kids are now safe from the dangers of the protruding nails and unsafe conditions of the old community child development center as the new building is now ready for utilization after the Blessing and Turnover Ceremony was conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program alongside local officials on July 19, 2024. 

“Dati gyud ang building igang kaayo, aduna nay mga crack, ug ang mga lansang nanggawas na maong delikado na gyud kaayo para sa mga bata,” (The old building was not well-ventilated, had many cracks on the wall, and some nails were protruded which made it dangerous for the children), said Gracel C. Apostol, the Daycare Teacher and a member of the Operations and Maintenance Team of the Barangay Development Council-Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) for the subproject. 

Arisa A. Valeroso, the Procurement Team Head of the subproject, also highlighted the previous safety issues due to the building’s location.

“Kaniadto, dili gyud safe ang mga bata mag-adto sa daycare center kay didto pa kini nahimutang sa bukid ug magsaka-kanaog pa ang mga bata ug ang ilang mga ginikanan o tighatod,” (In the past, it wasn’t safe for children to go to the daycare center because it was located in the mountai, and both the children and their parents or guardians had to climb back and forth), Valeroso added. 

Brgy. Sibahay Chief Hon. Michell P. Paquera expressed deep gratitude for the subproject, emphasizing its positive impact on the children’s learning environment.

“Dili masukod ang among kalipay ug pagpasalamat tungod sa subproject nga gipondohan sa DSWD pinaagi sa KALAHI-CIDSS kay dili nagyud maglisod magpa-eskwela ang mga ginikanan sa ilang kabataan. Nakasiguro pod ko nga tungod sa kanindot sa maong building, komportable na gyud sa pagtoon ang mga bata bisan sa ilang linghod nga pangedaron,” (Our joy and gratitude are immeasurable because of the subproject funded by the DSWD through KALAHI-CIDSS, as parents no longer struggle to send their children to school. I am also sure that because of the beauty of the building, the children will now be comfortable studying even at their young age), Hon Paquera stated. 

The Child Development Center (CDC) located in Purok Mangga-2, Brgy. Sibahay, Boston, Davao Oriental, was funded through the National Community-Driven Development Project-Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF) modality of KALAHI-CIDSS, receiving PHP 804,604.32. The project also included contributions from the Municipal Government of Boston, amounting to PHP 400,000.00, and an additional PHP 15,000.00 from Brgy. Sibahay, bringing the total funding to PHP 1,219,604.32.

The success of community subprojects, funded by the DSWD Field Office XI through KALAHI-CIDSS in target municipalities, is largely due to the comprehensive Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach. This method, bolstered by technical support from the Regional Program Management Team (RPMT), has guided the projects from initial social preparation through to sustainability efforts. Crucially, the enduring impact of these projects depends on the dedication of community volunteers, who have been empowered by the RPMT and are now prepared to take ownership and ensure their ongoing success.

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