Jasmen Europa Manansang, head of Project Preparation Team of Barangay Batuganding.
Sarangani, Davao Occidental – Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services continues to rally behind the power of people in advancing community development as it expands its operation in 11 more towns in Davao Region.
New Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities recently conducted the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum for Participatory Resource Allocation (MIBF-PRA). These are Montevista, Kiblawan, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Sarangani, Sta. Maria, San Isidro, Malalag, Baganga, Braulio E. Dujali, and Lupon.
The MIBF-PRA concretizes the role of the citizenry in establishing the demand for development through community proposals to address development challenges. It also hinges on the crucial role of community in development planning through participatory allocation of resources.
In MIBF-PRA, the community prepares a proposal with the respective indicative budget, and through the MIBF, they will lobby for prioritization of their project. Further, MIBF-PRA facilitates establishment of people empowerment and participation as necessary components in effective poverty reduction.
Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the core programs of DSWD that aims to empower communities through enhanced participation in local governance and poverty alleviation projects.
MIBF-PRA
Involved in MIBF-PRA are the three elected members of Kalahi-CIDSS Project Preparation Team (PPT) and the three members of Barangay Representation Team (BRT) which were chosen by community members.
During the forum, each barangay will choose a representative, whether individual or group, to propose and defend the sub-project.
Each representative will vote using a canvass form and proceeds on rating the presented projects based on the criteria with corresponding point value.
Jasmen Europa Manansang, 39, PPT Head of Barangay Batuganding, shared how their preparations for the MIBF inspired her to work for development in her community.
“Ganahan ko sa epekto sa sistema sa MIBF-PRA sa amoang mga proyekto. Tungod ani, mas ma–haom ug mas klaro unsa ang kailangan sa usa ka komunidad. Mas nahan-ay pud namo ang pag-prioritize sa mga proyekto. Usahay makahuna-huna mi, sakto na ba ni atong gibuhat? Masakto ba sa moabutay nga kwarta? Pero tungod sa MIBF, wala mi nakulbaan, busa, mas nakabuhi pa kini sa among kadasig sa paghunahuna nga sakto jud among gibuhat (I am pleased with the outcome of MIBF-PRA. It helps us target the needs of our community. Project prioritization is done accordingly. There are times when we ask ourselves, Are we doing the right thing? Will the projects’ cost match the funding? With MIBF, we are confident that we did it right).”
“The MIBF-PRA of Kalahi-CIDSS brings real people empowerment in the community and through it, the people whose voices have been hardly heard, are now in the frontline,” said Sarangani Mayor Virginia T. Cawa.
The new 11 municipalities covered in Region XI obtained a total grant allocation of P 173,980,750.00 for the year. (DSWD)
