Kananga, Leyte – Our community folks are satisfactorily benefiting the gains we are receiving from the government through the Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS:KKB) project. We are satisfied with the results of our hard work and our enthusiasm in bringing changes to our community. We are not only enjoying the benefits from the three sub-projects we availed from the government funds but, likewise, the good governance of our barangay that was developed through KALAHI-CIDSS teachings.
It’s not that easy to regain our trust in government. Many ways and strategies were used just to bring back the lost hope coming from them. Finally, KALAHI-CIDSS implementation made us believe that there’s a chance to look forward to; that government is really working for the welfare of the people.
The frustration that leads to dissatisfaction
I’ve been a “Barangay Kagawad” for almost two terms. During my previous term as barangay official, I could say that were not as effective leaders as what we are now. From the previous leadership, I can testify that development was slow and access to government funds was different. Even if our’ municipality is a first class town, still our barangay is poor. Politics also deprived our community from not availing government support.
Our community was not only disappointed with the local government but with the national government as well. There’s this program from a government agency that implemented a project in our barangay but did not succeed. The program introduced would, in some way, benefit the farmers, if it was properly implemented. Unfortunately, that government staffs just came to the barangay and unload funds without proper supervision in the implementation. As I remember, the people behind the project just go back to collect reports. Sad to say, the program failed as funds were just misused and wasted.
Our community was disappointed and never hoped for a chance that development will be attained by the barangay. We became passive and contented on the kind of living were into.
Sincerity helps change communities’ attitude
Until one day when KALAHI-CIDSS entered the municipality last September 2006. Our Community Facilitator, Leah Rafales, the assigned KALAHI-CIDSS worker introduced the program that changed our beliefs and way of life.
I saw the difficulty in implementing the program. Rafales experienced hardships in penetrating the community and the council as well. She tried to attend the series of council meetings just to gain our support in the program; still we were passive and skeptical.
Despite her failure in convincing us, she never lost hope. She rather showed her eagerness and enthusiasm to help our community, and the folks as well. There came a time when I felt her sincerity and efforts to be able to change my mind and give KALAHI-CIDSS a chance to uplift our living condition.
With her diligence and efforts, I and the rest of the community folks were inspired, and gradually opened our minds to support the program.
The efforts and sincerity of our KALAHI-CIDSS worker made me realized that we as barangay officials must also do our part. People trust us to bring development in our community, and here’s an opportunity that would provide us what we hope, yet we take it for granted.
Out of all the barangay officials, I alone was convinced and supported the program. I assisted our Community Facilitator while we conducted “sitio’ meetings, even til night time. She never complained, instead, determined to change the people from being passive to becoming active participans in community development.
The conduct of “sitio” meetings helped me become closer to the people. I became sympathetic to the needs of the community folks, especially those in the “sitio”.
It also helped me develop my skills to become a good leader. The good performance I showed had been recognized by the community and gave them idea to choose me as their Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) chairperson. With the trust and support from the community, I promised to them that I will lead in transforming their lives. I will make sure that this time we will succeed and will be out from deprivation.
My determination to help others in becoming good leaders
During the series of KALAHI-CIDSS activities, I saw to it that my fellow volunteers will actively participate. Every activity conducted in the municipality, I shouldered all our fare since the barangay did not provide us financial assistance. I showed to the council and the community folks that I’m determined to bring development in our barangay, and I know KALAHI-CIDSS is the answer to our hope. I know also that the trainings we attended will provide us knowledge and skills to develop our capabilities as good leaders.
Regained the trust
The sacrifices bore fruits when the barangay was prioritized for funding for three consecutive cycles. These opportunities opened our mind that there is still chance to know that government is working for the welfare of the people. The belief made me strong when the community folks already received salaries from the project. They received high salaries compared to their wages as laborers in the sugarcane plantation. It somehow helped increase families’ income.
The three sub-projects we availed from KALAHI-CIDSS funding were all successfully implemented. The accomplishments were attributed to the efforts of the volunteers who gained learning from the KALAHI-CIDSS teachings. The trainings and seminars we learned help us become expert in sub-project implementation. The transparency of fund releases, procurement process, managing the construction of sub-projects, and the hiring of laborers regardless of political affiliation were some of the factors that helped us implement the project properly.
Aside from the construction aspect, the community-driven approach was also adopted by the council. In monthly council sessions, we hold it in the “sitio” or “purok”. We involved the residents in our meeting and we let them share and express their felt needs. The Barangay Development Council also invited sectoral representatives and they were active. During planning session, we see to it that the meeting is presented by different sectors, or by “sitio” representatives. They bring the voice and concern of every sector and the situation of every “sitio”. Most of the community’s felt needs were reflected in our Barangay Development Plan. In the session, we presented to the community the identified problems and we encouraged them to participate in decision-making. We prioritized problems through the consensus of the people gathered in the barangay assembly. It was a great opportunity for ordinary people to be part in every decision-making. Now, it’s not only the council who decided and prioritized problems. Both communities and Barangay Council were involved in planning and prioritizing problems so as not to waste the small Internal Revenue Allotment of the barangay.