Puerto Princesa, Palawan – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 11 through Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) won 3^rd Place in the recent Thematic Environmental Management System (TEMS) Exhibit at Citystate Asturias Hotel.

With the theme, “Environmental Challenges in Island and Coastal Communities”, the entry’s objective is to present innovative pathways for building community resiliency and developing community environmental responsibility.

Kalahi-CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager Ma. Annabelle S. Jabla, Community Development Specialist Nick Elvi Digol, Regional Community Infrastructure Specialist Santos Eusebio, Community Process Officer Kareen Maris M. Mangubat, Area Coordinator Varnell M. Dagansan and two community volunteers represented the region in the said event.

Participants also conducted field exposures and visited various projects implemented through Kalahi-CIDSS in the different barangays in Palawan.

Jabla said this is the avenue where different regions share their best practices in implementing the program. “Participants vigorously interacted and shared different strategies in environmental management. What is best in other regions [if applicable], can also be replicated and incorporated in our future undertakings in Region XI.”

DSWD Region 7 bagged the 1^st Place while DSWD CARAGA won second in the exhibit.

Ginalyn A. Aneuto, 45, Kalahi-CIDSS Barangay Sub-project Management Committee Chair from Pantukan, Compostela Valley, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity given by DSWD.

“Gitagaan mi og importansya sa ahensya nga makiglambigit sa mga naa sa taas nga posisyon sa gobyerno. Kani nga programa ang nagsumpay sa masa ug gobyerno nga magkahiusa aron masugpo ang kapobrehon sa nagkalain-laing barangay (We were given importance by the agency, enabling us to interact with people who have positions in the government. This program unites the communities and government in order to fight poverty).”

Started on 2013, TEMS initially trained regional directors, area coordinators, community facilitators, volunteers, deputy area coordinators, as well as representatives of LGUs from different regions.

With the training, officers of different regions were able to showcase their gains, experiences and application of TEMS in Kalahi-CIDSS.

In his message, DSWD Assistant Secretary and Kalahi-CIDSS Deputy National Program Director Camilo G. Gudmalin urged, “In pursuit of environmental preservation, the challenge regarding the ‘New Normal’ lies in our staff and the community. We have to mold and build their attitude to be mindful of the environment and be resilient against disasters.”

Kalahi-CIDSS is now looking forward to the new developments of its national scale-up.  Region XI accrued a total cash grant of Php360, 812,560 million for program operation in 299 barangays within 21 municipalities this 2015.

From 2014 to 2019, the program has a Php9.3 billion nationwide project cost targeting some 847 poorest municipalities in the country. DSWD