DSWD launches expanded program

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — The DSWD earlier this week launched in this city the expansion of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, integrating it with the National Community-Driven Development program.

The expanded program is expected to empower over 800 local government units in the country to participate in the planning, budgeting and implementation of projects in their own backyards.

Using the approach, the DSWD program's target communities will be made to organize themselves, analyze their own situation, prepare project proposals and compete block grants to finance the project of their choice.

The projects may include water systems, school buildings, day care centers, health stations, roads and bridges. Community members will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance.

DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman, who was in the city, said: "By giving citizens the opportunity to come together and decide among themselves how to address their poverty situation and providing them with the technical and financial support to do so, we are ensuring that their needs are addressed effectively and that no one is left behind."

Soliman said the funding of the KALAHI-CIDSS-NCCDP program will come from the national government with P9.3 billion, the World Bank (US$479 million) and the Asian Development Bank (US$372.1 million).

The implementation starts this year up to 2019 and will benefit 847 towns in all regions nationwide. Of this number of towns, 554 were affected by the devastating Yolanda.

Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla welcomed the new approach as additional tool to enhance the capacity of the communities affected by Yolanda and other disasters. "The communities are raring to move forward, this is good news," he said.

Meanwhile in neighboring Kananga town, Soliman, representing DSWD, and Mayor Elmer Codilla, for the LGU, signed a memorandum of understanding for financial aid to enable families rebuild their houses damaged by Yolanda.

"There are big chances for all of you to rebuild your homes and join in the inclusive growth envisioned through the expansion of KALAHI-CIDSS with NCCDP," Soliman told Kananga residents. (FREEMAN)