The Asian Development Bank (ADB) visited Region Eight (8) to explore the convergence of two (2) of the major social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS)

The mission team, led by Joel Mangahas, and composed of ADB Consultant Danilo Songco and Director for Human Development, Leah Gutierrez, visited two (2) Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects in La Paz, Leyte, the construction of 408 linear meter drainage canal in Brgy. District 3 and the health station in Brgy. Pawa.

During the on-site visit, the team conducted an informal discussion with the Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. Mangahas asked, “How do these two projects of DSWD, the Pantawid and Kalahi-CIDSS, help improve your economic condition?”

The volunteers replied, “Tikang nahimo kami na Pantawid beneficiaries, nakaka-eskwela na an amon mga anak nga may balon na, tapos nakakapalit na kami hin vitamins ngan uniforms nira diri parehas han una nga makuri talaga (Since we became Pantawid beneficiaries, we were able to send our kids to school with money or food, and we were able to buy vitamins and uniforms for them, unlike before when it was really difficult to do so).”

DSWD Regional Director Leticia Diokno explained, “Kalahi-CIDSS provides the supply side for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. For instance, the health station in Brgy. Pawa had the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries as the priority clients. They are required to visit the health station for a regular check up, whether they are sick or not, as preventive measures”.

Mangahas revealed that the ADB has been funding the set three (3) areas of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since 2010. “DSWD proposed that ADB also extend the same assistance to Kalahi-CIDSS project. That’s why we are gathering information to complete and validate the data”, he further said.

It is the second time that ADB visited the region. The first was in April of this year, which focused on the engagement of the Provincial Government of Leyte in Kalahi-CIDSS implementation.

The visit is still in relation to the scale-up of the Community Driven Development (CDD) process into a national community driven development program (NCDDP) as a national strategy in reducing poverty.

Mangahas said, “Our visits to Kalahi-CIDSS areas have always had good results, just like when we first came here sometime in April. The DSWD Field Office Eight has met the expectations and delivered the desired results of the stakeholders. Of course we have to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the project so we can also defend the proposal.”

On his part, ADB Danilo Songco said, “The challenge now for the NCDDP is how to roll out in new areas, improve the existing projects and provide for sustainability. DSWD has to play a bigger role in coordinating with different agencies and in monitoring its implementation”.

Leah Gutierrez quoted a volunteer when describing why there was a need to reach out to poor communities, “Hindi kasalanan na pinanganak kang mahirap. Ang kasalanan kung binigyan ka ng marami tapos namatay kang mahirap (It is not a sin that one is born in poverty, but it is a sin if one has been blessed but dies empty-handed)”.

Kalahi-CIDSS is the government’s banner anti-poverty project spearheaded by the DSWD. It aims to improve local governance, empower the community and reduce poverty using the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach, a process in which the community identifies, selects, designs, implements and maintains sub-projects according to their most pressing needs.