The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its poverty alleviation program Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services recently awarded three community sub-projects to Barangay Naulayan in Matag-ob, Leyte.

The inauguration and turn-over ceremony was conducted to formally hand in the 20-unit Core Shelter Project, a Barangay Health Station, and 90 linear meter  farm– to-market road.

In cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Matag-ob, Leyte, all  20 household beneficiaries were thankful for the permanent shelter awarded to them. Cristita Monares, one of the beneficiaries, who gave a testimonial during the program, said that for 20 times, she has been rebuilding her house because it was easily devastated by previous typhoons. “Thankfully, DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS came and I was chosen to be a recipient of the said Core Shelter”, Cristita said.

Meanwhile, Remedios Monares, a Health Station beneficiary recalled how hard it was for them when the health station was not yet built. The Brgy. Hall served as their clinic, birthing station, and for other medical-related concerns. Happily, they are now worry-free as their Health Station is complete with amenities.

On the other hand, Brgy. Captain Lorna Alquino said that the farm-to- market road saved them from accidents. Before the road was constructed, numerous accidents happened. That is why the residents agreed to choose the said sub-project using the CDD (Community-Driven Development) strategy. With this approach, residents themselves identify, proposed, managed and constructed their own sub-projects which will help resolve their most pressing needs in the community. “So far, no accident occurred after the construction”, she added.

Representing DSWD Regional Director Restituto Macuto, the Chief of Policy and Planning Division, Yvonne Abonales, in her speech asked the people of Brgy. Naulayan and its Barangay Council to allot a particular fund for the project’s maintenance for its sustainability. She then added that Regional Director Macuto wishes to encourage residents to safeguard government projects for their own future.

Said health station was funded by MCC or Millennium Challenge Corporation  while the farm–to–market road which will benefit 144 households was implemented under Kalahi-CIDSS’ NCDDP (National Community-Driven Development Program) fund.