A two-day learning visit to Region 8 brought Myanmar officials to the municipalities of Paranas, Samar and Hernani in Eastern Samar, particularly in barangays with successful implementation of the Kapit-BisigLaban saKahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In close coordination withthe DSWD, World Bank, andconcerned Local Government Units, the said visit impressed visitors especially on how the community was moved to come upwith such accomplishments that would respond to the needs of the locality.

On the two-day itinerary from June 11-12, 2013- they visited Brgy. Tutobigan,andBrgy.Casandig 2 of Paranas, Samar; and Brgy.Garawon  and Carmen of Hernani Eastern Samarto observe and have dialogue with the community on the sub-projects implemented under the KALAHI-CIDSS like water system, hanging bridge, sanitation facilities, daycarecenter, path walks and  river/ flood control.

The visitors were impressed with the collaboration efforts of the project implementers, local government officials and community folks. They have seen how cooperation, collaboration, and coordination were developed through the KALAHI CIDSS. The visitors then get to meet and hear experiences of theMunicipal Coordinating Team, barangay officials, and volunteers behind the successful implementation of the sub-projects. They even looked into the documents made by the community which for them is a proof of empowerment among the volunteers in the community.

According to Deputy Minister for Ministry of Border Affairs, Zaw Win, they were able to get a chance to study the role of the local government units and the community empowerment activities, finance management, and procurement procedures of these sub-projects in the fight against poverty. He stated that the knowledge they have gained will be of big help in the implementation of Community Driven Development (CDD) in Myanmar.Zaw Win bared that they call CDD in their country as the newly born project and it covers 15 townships since 2012 to 2019 of implementation.

Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director, RemiaTapispisan, expressed gratitude and described the visit as an inspiration for the region. “Your visit will be our motivation to push to do excellence in the implementation of these projects being used and managed by the beneficiaries.”  Tapispisan also thanked the local government units, particularly the municipalities of Paranas Samar and Hernani Eastern Samar for the full support and warm welcome given to the visitors during the field visits.

Other team members from Myanmar were the Deputy Director General of Myanmar Central Bank, Khin Saw Oo, Director for Finance Department, Ministry of Border Affairs, NyoNyo Win, Deputy Director for International Relation Department, Ministry of Border Affairs, TunLwin and Operations Analyst of Worl Bank, Theingi Min.

KALAHI-CIDSS has been using the CDD approach, which was proven to be an effective strategy in in empowering the community and ordinary folks in participating local development. CDD is soon to scale-up and will be known as the National Community-Driven Development Program of the government in its fight against poverty.