P650M in projects started under Kalahi

CEBU, Philippines - Nearly P650 million worth of projects has been implemented since 2011 through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the three core social protection programs of DSWD meant to alleviate poverty.

In its website, DSWD-7 said the Millennium Challenge Corp. granted a budget of P641,237,493 for the flagship community-driven development program of the agency.

The money was utilized in funding at least 716 community sub-projects in 25 municipalities in Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental. The sub-projects include daycare centers, school buildings, water systems, drainage facilities and basic access facilities like farm-to-market roads, footpaths and footbridges.

According to DSWD-7, these projects where chosen based on the main priorities of the community identified through a “participatory” site visits and assessments.

DSWD sustained the MCC projects through the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippine (MCA-P) compact, which was established as the central point of contact for Compact Implementation by virtue of Executive Order 849 issued on December 15, 2009.

MCA-P was incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2010 as a subsidiary of the Development Bank of the Philippines Management Corporation.

The five-year compact is set to end this March. But the Philippines is now working with MCC in preparing for a second compact.

The First Philippine Compact was signed on September 23, 2010 in New York City and was in full force starting May 25, 2011. The $434 million was intended to allow poor communities to develop small-scale projects and manage assets in a sustainable way, facilitate increased commerce by reducing transportation costs, and increase the efficiency and sustainability of revenue collection through the redesign and computerization of business processes.

DSWD’s accomplishments were highlighted during the recently concluded event of MCC and MCA-P in Cebu City.

The event was attended by DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin, DSWD-7 Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, MCA-P Managing Director and CEO Marivic Anonuevo and other officials. — (FREEMAN)