A villager from ParanasTacloban City – After the KALAHI-CIDSS experience, villagers from the 44 barangays of Paranas town are definitely into it and are working as a team to maximize the largesse and capability building activities for communities offered by the KALAHI-CIDSS Program.

But this time they are demonstrating the power of community-driven development with the LGU-led Makamasang Tugon initiative. In short, this is a dream come true (again) as the people have clamored for KALAHI-CIDSS Part Two.

Makamasang Tugon is a “prize” given to municipalities that performed well during the three-year implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS, explained Miss Natividad Sequito, Regional Project Coordinator during the KALAHI-CIDSS reorientation for barangay chairmen and volunteers in preparation for sub-project execution stage of the Makamasang Tugon program held September 16, 2011 in Paranas town.

With their experiences from KALAHI-CIDSS, it is easier to facilitate the processes; and according to Romelo Anade, Municipal Area Coordinator of the Municipal Coordinating Team, the “wait and see attitude” is no more. The people know that the KALAHI-CIDSS Program will deliver. What’s more, the people are already familiar with the KALAHI-CIDSS processes, better known as the Community Enhancement Activity Cycle or CEAC (pronounced as say -yak).

Paranas is one of the five Samar municipalities this year carrying out the Makamasang Tugon initiative funded by Millennium Challenge Corporation. The others are Tarangnan, Sta. Margarita, Pinabacdao, and Villareal.