The Provincial Government of Leyte, through the leadership of Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla, has released P11.5 M on December 28, 2011, as provincial local cash counterpart for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) municipalities in Leyte. The said municipalities are Javier, Julita, La Paz, Mahaplag, Mayorga, San Isidro, Tabango and TabonTabon.

For the municipality of Javier, the province has committed P1, 811,210.00 as counterpart; La Paz, P2, 010, 995.00; Julita, P1,467,636.00; Mahaplag, P1,561,858.00; Mayorga, P1,280,410.00; San Isidro, P1, 108,481.00; Tabango, P803, 450.00; and Tabontabon, P718,895.00.

For Bato, Leyte, the province has pledged P1, 953,415.00, but the fund is yet to be released. The Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) have obligated P2, 431,921.00, and delivered P2, 115,815 or 87% of the total fund.

On the other hand, Mahaplag, Leyte, which has committed a total of P1, 226,243.10 has delivered P, 219,021.10 or 99 %, the highest among the nine municipalities.

The local cash counterpart from the province is a requisite for downloading and disbursement of funds from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office for the identified KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects in the above-mentioned municipalities.

KALAHI-CIDSS is an anti-poverty project of the government spearheaded by the DSWD. It aims to empower the community, improve local governance, and reduce poverty.