Lupon, Davao Oriental (DSWD) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) recently turned over 15 community sub-projects here.

The turnover was led by Mayor Erlinda D. Lim, Barangay Captains, members of Municipal Inter-Agency Committee (MIAC), as well as community volunteers of recipient barangays.

Among the  sub-projects are solar dryers with storage facilities, 2-storey multi-purpose buildings, double barrel box culverts, multi-purpose buildings, day care center, pre-school building, concrete bridge, barangay road improvement, hanging cable footbridge, and potable water system level 2.

According to Varnell M. Dagansan, Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinator in Lupon, the town has a municipal grant allocation of P20 million, and a total of P4,834,000.00 Local Counterpart Contribution (LCC) for the 1^st cycle of implementation. It was allocated for the 18 identified priority sub-projects in the municipality. Three more sub-projects are ongoing –two projects on barangay road improvement and one potable water system level 2.

“Through the Kalahi-CIDSS Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) activities, facilitators and members of Municipal Inter-Agency Committee (MIAC), have built close coordination and strong relationships in steering development and empowering individuals in the communities,” Dagansan added.

The municipality of Lupon has a population of 63,164 and a poverty incidence rate of 32.8% based on the 2014 data of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Kalahi-CIDSS, is a Community-Driven Development (CDD) program of the Philippine Government aiming to empower people through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance, and management of poverty alleviation projects.

Lupon is one of the 11 new municipalities covered by Kalahi-CIDSS starting in September 2015.

With the successful implementation of the first cycle, the town is now in its 2^nd cycle with a total grant allocation of P20 million.

Mayor Erlinda D. Lim shared, “Kalahi-CIDSS has produced a huge improvement in our community. The participation of the communities at the barangay level in all activities conducted was successfully done. I can really prove that the efforts of the working personalities in Lupon were all worth it.”

She assured that their support for the program will carry on through the 2^nd cycle of implementation. (DSWD)