The Leyte Provincial Government Unit (PLGU), Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Eight (DSWD FO 8) formally sealed their partnership for the implementation of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Local Chief Executives of the Municipalities of Abuyog, Babatngon, Barugo, Matag-ob and Tanauan, Leyte participated in the said event – all are Kalahi-CIDSS area for 2012 implementation in Leyte.

The activity was held at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel.

“The signing of the MOA today is another milestone for the community driven development (CDD) program of Kalahi-CIDSS”, DSWD Regional Director Leticia Diokno said.

Diokno added, “In the department, CDD is recognized as an effective tool in poverty reduction. Right now it is being groomed into a national strategy”.

Diokno cited the recently conducted mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) wherein the scaled-up CDD is being looked upon the PLGU engagement. She also stated how the Province of Leyte has always been supportive in Kalahi-CIDSS implementation.

Vice Governor Mimiet Bagulaya, representative of Governor Jericho Petilla, expressed the province’s gratitude and support in the project.

She continued, “MOA signing is very significant. However, the tasks do not end after this activity. We have to continue our support in helping our constituents. And true support is seen in the actual implementation of the project. In behalf of the Governor, we assure you that we will continue to allocate funds for community projects like Kalahi-CIDSS”.

Abuyog Mayor Octavio Traya, Jr., showed his eagerness for the project with his remark, “let’s start!”

Tanauan Mayor Agapito Pagayanan, Jr. revealed that he is grateful not only for the sub-projects that will be implemented in his municipality, but for the CDD process that they will be adopting. He further said that through Kalahi-CIDSS, the Filipino “bayanihan” spirit which has become rare these days, will be revived.

Meanwhile, Babatngon Mayor Charita Chan quipped, “As I signed the MOA this morning, I told myself, now is the time for stress. As a local Chief Executive, this is a big challenge for me. I think Kalahi-CIDSS will be of big help in the implementation of projects in my twenty-five barangays”.

Barugo Mayor Alden Avestruz and Matag-ob Mayo Michael Torrevillas simply stated their gratitude and committed to support the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS in their municipalities.

Kalahi-CIDSS is an anti-poverty project of the government spearheaded by the DSWD. It promotes and advocates the Community Driven Development (CDD) process through participatory, transparency and accountability. It aims to improve local governance, empower the community and reduce poverty.

CDD is a process wherein the community identify, select, design, implement and maintain sub-projects according to their most pressing needs.