Tacloban City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Eight recently concluded the orientation training for the first batch of municipal teams. The August 2-6 activity also served as a venue to discuss possible issues that may arise during the one year implementation of Makamasang Tugon.

The orientation-training highlighted building communities of good practice on community-driven development for local governance. Makamasang Tugon involves the communities in planning and decision making and project management. Instead of the traditional planning, local government units will facilitate the inclusion of community plans in the annual municipal investment plans.

According to DSWD’s Assistant Regional Director Jaime Eclavea, this orientation-training will position the teams before embarking on the long road ahead. Eclavea was also optimistic the shift towards harmonizing local investment planning and community planning can be achieved and sustained.

The following participating municipal teams have previously and successfully implemented the KALAHI-CIDSS Program – Leyte, Biliran,   Eastern and Western Samar. Leyte Province was represented by Bato, Javier, Kananga, and Tabango. Participating municipalities from Samar Province were Paranas and Tarangnan, while Sulat town represented Eastern Samar Province.

The one year implementation of Makamasang Tugon will be funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation for Samar Leyte Towns and World Bank Additional Fund for Eastern Samar municipalities.