Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) held a consultative meeting with the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of the Makamasang Tugon (MT) Municipalities on August 10, 2012 at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel, Tacloban City.

The meeting sought to identify issues and concerns with the project implementation of the MT-covered municipalities namely: Naval, Cabucgayan, La Paz, Julita, Mayorga, Tabontabon, Leyte-Leyte, San Isidro, Tabango, Kananga, Bato, Javier, Mahaplag, Paranas, Villareal, Tarangnan, Sta. Margarita and Pinabacdao, Pambujan, Sulat, Jipapad and San Policarpo.

Request for Fund Release (RFR) was the most common issue raised during the meeting. Some LCEs brought up the concern that delays in the downloading of funds slowed down the sub-project implementation (SPI) in some municipalities, and giving payments to the suppliers.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Nestor Ramos said, “For the RFRs that are still with the Regional Project Management Office (RPMO), we will make sure to fast track the review.” He added, “delay in RFR generation has a domino effect on the sub-project implementation.”

Another common issue raised by the representatives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) was the functionality of the Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT). Some of the municipalities have retained their staff but with smaller pay because of budget constraints. One municipality does not have an MCT staff to date.

Another issue raised was the compliance of municipalities to fiduciary findings in which the concerned LGUs committed to complete the necessary documents within the month.

Makamasang Tugon is a Kalahi-CIDSS modality wherein LGUs are given incentives to institutionalize the community driven development (CDD) processes and mechanisms. LGUs lead in the implementation, with Kalahi-CIDSS providing technical assistance.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a government project spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It uses the CDD approach, and it aims to empower the community, improve local governance and reduce poverty.