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, turned over the 200-meter Drainage Canal Subproject worth PHP1,317,235.61 to the community of Brgy. Fuentes, Pantukan, Davao de Oro today (August 6, 2024). The event was attended by representatives of the KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Management Team, Area and Municipal Coordinating Teams, local officials, and community volunteers.

KALAHI-CIDSS funded the infrastructure with PHP894,592.75 of the total subproject cost, while the Municipal Government of Pantukan contributed PHP422,642.86.

Monico P. Batoon, the Chairperson of the Barangay Development Council-Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) for the subproject, expressed his gratitude while explaining their situation before the subproject was built.

“Adtong wala pa ang subproject, muapaw gyud ang tubig gikan sa baha diri nga area labi na og musagunson og ulan. Karon nga naa na ang kanal, dili na gyud mapundo ang tubig ug wala nagyud baha,” (“Noong wala pa yung subproject, umaapaw talaga yung tubig baha dito lalo na kung sunod-sunod yung ulan. Ngayong nandito na ang kanal, hindi na naiimbak ang tubig dito at wala ng baha”), said Batoon.

Barangay Captain Hon. Elizabeth E. Mabiscay of Brgy. Fuentes also expressed her gratitude for the subproject, noting that it is the 10th infrastructure they proposed that received funding from KALAHI-CIDSS.

“Salamat sa DSWD kay ika-napulo nani nga subproject nga nahatag diri sa Brgy. Fuentes ug nanghinaot mi nga daghan pang proyekto ang ibubo sa DSWD diri sa among komunidad,” (“I thank the DSWD for this is the 10th subproject we received here in Brgy. Fuentes and we hope that more projects will be funded here by the KALAHI-CIDSS in our community”), stated Hon. Mabiscay.

While two of the modalities of KALAHI-CIDSS close this year, namely the National Community-Driven Development Program-Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF) and the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), the program is preparing for incoming new modalities that will expand the implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS through the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach nationwide.

DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Atty. Vanessa B. Goc-ong represented by the Social Marketing Officer III for the KALAHI-CIDSS program, Ezri M. Coda Jr, challenges the community volunteers to sustain the subproject during the program.

“Ang akong punto lang gyud karong adlawa mao ang paghagit kaninyo nga masustenar ang maong proyekto. Ang CDD approach adunay tulo ka prinsipyo nga gilangkoban sa Participatory, Transparency, ug Accountability. Ang prinsipyo sa Participatory ug Transparency ato nang napakita sa pagsugod palang sa implementasyon hantud nahuman ang subproyekto. Karon nga pormal na kini nga giturn-over kaninyo, ang hangyo kaninyo sa Departamento nga atong panggaon ug atimanon ang atong subproyekto aron muluntad pa kini ug magamit pa sa mga musunod nga henerasyon, (My main point today is to challenge you to sustain this project. The CDD approach is based on three principles: Participatory, Transparency, and Accountability. We have already demonstrated the principles of Participatory and Transparency from the start of the implementation until the completion of the subproject. Now that it has been formally turned over to you, the Department requests that we cherish and take care of our subproject so that it will last and be used by future generations), said Coda. 

The DSWD Field Office XI continues to empower communities through sustainable development projects, fostering resilience, and enhancing the quality of life for all. The office is committed to addressing the needs of the marginalized and promoting community-driven initiatives that inspire collective action and positive change.

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