Ormoc City, Leyte – The Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) expressed their support for the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during its launching on June 23 in this city.
KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is the national expansion of KALAHI CIDSS, which started in 2003 as the flagship poverty alleviation program of the DSWD.
Citing the value of the community-driven development (CDD) strategy used by the program, which empowers citizens and involves them in decision-making processes affecting local development, the heads of the three agencies each declared that they will adapt this approach in the implementation of their programs.
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, who was the keynote speaker during the program launch, said, “Sa programang ito, nakita na ang bawat tao ay may angking kakayahan para matugunan ang problema nila, at mula dito ay ang pagbuo ng bayan na matatag at maunlad (This program showed that a person has his innate abilities that he can use to solve his problems. From there, we can build a strong and well-developed nation).”
Sec. Roxas emphasized how KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP gives power back in the hands of the people, and the national government’s active support for this.
He said, “Ang pili ng tao, ang pili ng komunidad, susuportahan ng LGU, susuportahan ng national government (The choice of the people and the communities will be supported by the local government units and the national government).”
In KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, citizens are given the opportunity to decide what sub-projects will be implemented based on their needs and their poverty situation.
Sec. Roxas also cited KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP’s thrust to change local governance.
Meanwhile, DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro cited how the program is meant to be implemented beyond the Aquino administration.
He said, “KALAHI CIDSS gives seeds of hope, new learnings, and new insights, which will go beyond the Aquino administration, which is why we will sustain, maintain, and institutionalize CDD.”
Expanded program
From 364 municipalities, KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP will now target the coverage of 847 municipalities in 14 regions across the nation, which will benefit 5.4 million households in 19,647 barangays.
KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP has a P9.3 billion project cost and will be implemented from 2014 to 2019.
It will be implemented in close partnership with other national government agencies. ###