Through Kalahi-CIDSS’ CDD (Community-Driven Development) Approach, women are given equal opportunity to work and earn in the construction of their community projects

History tells that subordination of women remains to be the basis of their exclusion in the development sphere. But today, it is only an empowering sight to see women give their unparalleled power for the community’s growth through DSWD’s Kalahi-CIDSS program.

In Barangay Tubig Guinoo, Kawayan, Biliran, a group of women pioneered collective action in order to resolve their most pressing needs.

Women and Water in Tubig Guinoo

Barangay Tubig Guinoo is situated at the foot of Mount Panamaw, the source of bountiful water that gives supply to other barangays. It is named ‘Tubig Guinoo’ for the same reason. However due to its location, residents living within are always at a perilous situation. When bad weather hits, the water in the area overflows, leaving them with no option but to evacuate. Thus,the construction of flood control system was seen by the community as an intervention needed to be prioritized to address their long-time problem.

However, there was initial hesitation when Kalahi CIDSS started in the community. For years, Tubig Guinoo lost their trust on government agencies that promised them aid.

All residents were doubting the program and where hesitant to participate in the activities. Most of them were afraid that it might only be the same with other agencies which promised them change but with unfulfilled result.

Yet, Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee Chairperson Corazon Pardenas, a woman whose passion is to serve her community, encouraged people to work with the program. Through her persuasive efforts and leadership, the community successfully completed the construction of a 55-linear meter flood control for Cycle 1 and 235 linear-meter Flood Control from its original Sub-Project of 155 linear-meter with a PhP 2.9 million Kalahi-CIDSS grant for Cycle 2 implementation. In addition to, only 90% of its total fund was utilized which was accomplished before the target date of completion.

BSPMC Pardenas even took the courage to present during the Barangay Assembly another sub-project using the excess materials from their previous Cycle 2 sub-project, to construct an Open Canal in Tubig Guinoo Elementary School. Even though there were no longer available funds for labor,  Pardenas presented that female community volunteers will pursue through Bayanihan in order to realize the proposed project. Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) officials witnessed their dedication; they offered free snacks for the volunteers during the working days. The 30-linear meter Open Canal was completed for only a week and this noteworthy initiative of Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers now protects families from the threat of soil erosion.

Women on Social Empowerment

On the process, the community most especially BSPMC Chairperson Corazon Pardenas came to love Kalahi-CIDSS’ Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy. She said it is inclusive, participative and empowering most especially to women. For her, CDD gave women the equal opportunity to challenge their stereotyped reproductive roles, and experienced social and economic development.

BSPMC Pardenas asserted, “Kung unsay matrabaho sa lalaki, matrabahu sad diay sa babae. The process improved the confidence of women to do manly work because of the experience during project implementation; pag-masa, pag-ayag sa buhangin, mag finishing… During sa open canal implementation, kung unsaon pag put-up sa hollow blocks, mag socking sa baras, maghakot sa baras pag dayong dayong og uban pa. [Women can perform jobs that are expected to be performed by men. The process improved the confidence of women to do manly work because of the experience during project implementation; We can do masonry work. During sa open canal implementation we can carry sacks of sand so we can put up hollow blocks, and other tasks].” BSPMC Pardenas shared that all female community volunteers became more confident of themselves now that they can decide and implement sub-projects, far from when they usually do in their households.

Corazon Pardeñas also added that being a BSPMC enables herself to assume a leadership position and manage an organization. Through her involvement in Kalahi-CIDSS, she realized her potential and abilities in financial management, community procurement and project implementation. But above all, she now discovered that she has the capacity and passion to lead. Through Kalahi–CIDSS’ provision of skills training and other capacity building initiatives, Corazon and the women of Tubig Guinoo can now say that they can do greater things for their community with their collective action.

Women and the voice to Influence

Liramae Catalvas, a former Community Empowerment Facilitator of Kawayan, Biliran also expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the community volunteers of Barangay Tubig Guinoo especially for their commitment and active participation in the program.

“The community volunteers can conduct special sessions on their own. Their initiative to address community concerns immediately is what I appreciate most in this barangay”. She added that BSPMC Corazon volunteered to be a spokesperson of Kalahi CIDSS to other barangays of Kawayan wherein her primary task is to advocate and promote the gains and impact of CDD and encouraged all sectors, most especially women, to put forward their voice and ideas.

She asserted, “Ako sila gi-ingnan nga expected sa mga kababaihan ang naa lang sa balay pero natuo ko nga kada baji duna nay ikacontribute nga ilang skills dili unta sila mahadlok nga ishare kini og gamiton ilang kakayanan og boses para makatabang sila sa igkasi katawo. [I believe that although women are only expected to stay at home, they can contribute their skills. They should not be afraid to share their strength and voice in order to help other people. That is what I usually tell them]”.

Community volunteers’ direct management of sub-projects and their acquired knowledge on Kalahi-CIDSS process gave them the technical know-how in the planning, budgeting and construction of a 30-linear meter open canal on their own. Kalahi-CIDSS’ activities serve also as an avenue for women to participate through barangay assemblies and meetings where their presence and opinions matter.

It is undeniable that because of patriarchal structures, it hinders women to get involved in decision-making processes but this yet again was conquered by the women of Tubig Guinoo. Through Kalahi-CIDSS, women were able to present and speak their minds in a political discourse and able to “set agenda”.

BSPMC Pardenas took pride of the sub project, “women can now have the ability to be a leader [to lead and decide], ability to let our voice be heard.”

Women reliving the Bayanihan Spirit

It is very apparent that bayanihan was demonstrated by the women of Tubig Guinoo when they worked in unison for the construction of an Open Canal, without expecting anything in return.    But BSPMC Pardenas shared as well how the collective action of Community Volunteers, BLGU and community has been the key for successfully realizing their sub-project for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, including the women-initiated Open Canal.

BSPMC Pardenas stated, “The community volunteers are actively participating in the whole Kalahi-CIDSS program implementation. Everyone is committed to their responsibility and to the whole program in general.”

She added that Community Volunteers maximized their resources to complete their deliverables in a timely manner. Part of the volunteers’ strategy is to work closely with barangay council members. Community Volunteers were even grouped according to the existing zones of Tubig Guinoo where they were assigned to each barangay councilor, specifically for information dissemination and CDD advocacy.

She also emphasized,  “Ipadayon ang kooperasyon, open nga komunikasyon ug aksyon para sa komunidad. Kung unsa ang nasugdan dapat po nga mapadayon.[We should continue our cooperation, open communication, and collective action for the community. We will sustain what we have started].”

Though Brgy. Tubig Guinoo was not prioritized during Cycle 3 resource allocation, their BSPMC office is still functional and BSPMC Pardenas still regularly attend and participate during barangay sessions. At present,  Community volunteers also helped the Brgy.  Committee on Infrastructure through the conduct of a monthly project inspection and clean-up drive when necessary. They also function as community spokespersons where they provide information and feedback to Barangay Council regarding sub-project status for Operation and Maintenance purposes.

Philippines is continuously improving its efforts towards addressing gender-based issues. Kalahi-CIDSS program, through its CDD strategy, is raising awareness and at the same time providing opportunities for inclusive empowerment especially to marginalized sectors of the community, including women. Kalahi-CIDSS program takes action for equal development while sustaining social change.

To date, there are 48, 578 female BSPMC Chairpersons in Eastern Visayas. The figure alone tells us that women can lead, decide and initiate for development. Through Kalahi-CIDSS, women are not only nurturing mothers but active workers for social change, not only for their families but for the community as well.

As part of its mandate to empower women, Kalahi-CIDSS ensures that 30% of the total workforce hired for the construction of a community infrastructure should be allocated to women through paid labor.

DSWD OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco (Second from rigth) together with Kalahi-CIDSS Program Heads, personally award the GAPAS plaque and certificate of recognition to Tabontabon Mayor Rustico Balderian (Right) during the PANATA Awarding Ceremony.

The Local Government Unit of Tabontabon, Leyte has been unanimously chosen by the GAPAS Awards Committee as the National Model LGU Implementing Kalahi-CIDSS in this year’s DSWD PaNaTa Ko sa Bayan Awards held on March 8, 2018 at the DSWD Central Office, Quezon City.

The PaNaTa (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon) Ko sa Bayan Awards acknowledges the efforts of the individuals, groups and organizations whose panata or vow is to share their resources, time and selves in providing  better opportunities for disadvantaged sectors and for inclusive growth. The GAPAS Award is a sub-award conferred to DSWD partners and stakeholders. Specifically, it is a commendation given to exemplary Local Government Units implementing Kalahi-CIDSS in the Philippines.

Although considered as one of the poorest and smallest towns in the province of Leyte, LGU Tabontabon has demonstrated success in meeting key performance indicators in their Kalahi-CIDSS implementation. Said municipality has also exercise effective leadership as a champion Community-Driven Development (CDD) advocate  through its adoption of Kalahi-CIDSS proccesses, thereby institutionalizing CDD.

“DSWD cannot fulfill its functions alone. We need the support of our partner stakeholders like the LGUs in implementing our programs and services. I congratulate LGU Tabontabon and our community volunteers for this national achievement”, said Regional Director Restituto Macuto

Last year, LGU Tabontabon was also recognized by DSWD Field Office VIII as 2017 Bayani Ka Regional Awardee for Best LGU Implementing Kalahi-CIDSS. With this award, the implementation leads to clear and promising outcomes on the empowerment of Tabontabon residents and on uplifting the well-being of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors in their communities.

A total of 36 Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects were constructed in Tabontabon under the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) Funding from 2014 to 2017. Most of these sub-projects are community infrastructure. But aside from the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures, seven barangays underwent Capacity Building Training on Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRM) plus disaster amenities, Family and Community Disaster Preparedness (FCDP) and First Aid, empowering communities to be disaster resilient.

“We have launched UNGARA (Wish) 2025 in June 2017 as our support to AMBISYON NATIN 2040 Program. LGU Tabontabon wish to increase the income of the poorest of the poor families. Kalahi-CIDSS has provided a stepping stone to achieving our wish through increase in community participation.  We are institutionalizing Kalahi-CIDSS’ Community-Driven Development strategy within our local planning and budgeting. I know this is just the beginning but we are confident that we can achieve more because we have the support and participation of the people”, Mayor Balderian emphasized.

Tabontabon Local Chief Executive, Mayor Rustico Balderian, during his acceptance speech.

Tabontabon Mayor Rustico Balderian (Third from Right) together with DSWD Executive Committee Members lead by OIC Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco (Center) and Regional Director Restituto Macuto (Right)

With the collective action of the citizens of Barugo, both the municipal and barangay Local Government Unit have approved policies for its sub-projects’ operation and maintenance and as sustainable mechanism for CDD adoption.

“Our role to advocate and uphold Community-Driven Development is not just confined within the signed documents stipulated on our Memorandum of Agreement with Kalahi-CIDSS and DSWD. It is beyond contracts and counterparts. It is about Barugo’s sustainable future. Kalahi-CIDSS is about the people. It is the people.” – Barugo Mayor Macel Avestruz pointed out  during her presentation of LGU Barugo’s Community Driven Development (CDD) Good Practices.

In 2016, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barugo won the National Award as Best Municipality implementing Kalahi-CIDSS, besting fourteen LGUs from other regions.

But accepting the Bayani Ka award during the ceremony was not the highlight of their victory. Their success became more meaningful after that.

 The Beginning of CDD Adoption

The Kalahi-CIDSS story of Barugo started in April 2012. A 4^th class municipality with 37 barangays, the town was chosen to be a recipient of the Kalahi-CIDSS program through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Although Mayor Macel Avestruz was not the municipal mayor back then, the development objective of Kalahi-CIDSS was not new to her.

“I am familiar of Kalahi-CIDSS not because I am the the wife of the former Local Chief Executive of Barugo. But as citizen of our municipality, I personally saw how the program achieved its milestones in empowering local communities through their involvement in the design and implementation of projects that would address their most pressing needs that would bring better services to them”, Avestuz added.

Although considered a Yolanda-hit area, heavily affected in terms of its infrastructure and economy,  Barugo proved to be a developing and resilient town which embraced CDD  and its participatory governance and community empowerment principles.

In Barugo, every group and sector recogizes their roles, and values their shared responsibilities as guardians of CDD. This became the reason why it is one the first municpalities in the region to replicate the approach and harmonizes it to their local development processes.

Hence, the Municipal and Barangay LGU have intensified its provision of technical, administrative and management assistance in the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS in  barangays especially during the sub-project construction.

For years, the LGU has also ensured the conduct of monitoring schemes by strengthening its Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan and the implementation of its O&M mechanisms. This was supported through the passage and enforcement of local ordinances and policies that  provide efficient and effective O&M towards sustainability. The BLGU also allocated funds exclusively for O&M of all Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects.

At present, the existing and accredited Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) formed through Kalahi-CIDSS initiative are now part of the decision-making process at the barangay level where in they regularly sit in the Barangay Development Council, specifically under the Barangay Sub-Project committee.

In terms of the community empowerment objective of Kalahi-CIDSS, LGU Barugo supported the participatory governance feature of the program through the institutionalization of community assemblies. This was embraced positively by the people.

LGU Barugo adopted the Participatory Situation Analysis or the Kalahi-CIDSS’ PSA process by which the community is being consulted to ask their views and opinions on the state of their barangay, the problems that greatly affect, them and the possible solutions that would help their locality. Evident to this is the integration of priority needs of the barangay to Barugo’s Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for CY 2010-2016 and the recently formulated CDP for CY 2017-2023.

With the adoption of various CDD process of Kalahi-CIDSS which were already harmonized in its local planning and implemetation, LGU Barugo finally institutionalized the whole CDD mechanismm through the approval of Municipal Resolution No. 4 of 2017 by the Municipal Development Council.

The adoption of CDD in Barugo and its further institutionalization became possible because of the Barug-on. When people realize its relevance and impact in their common welfare and development, they will eventually appreciate it and demand for it”, Engr. Judith Borrel, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator explained.

Another LGU innovation which was patterned from the CDD process is their regular Barangay Consultation Dialogue locally known as ‘Harampang’, where the Sangguniang Bayan members, Department Heads headed by the Local Chief Executive and in participation with some Non-Government Agencies, visit all 37 barangays for the conduct of barangay local dialogue. According to LGU Barugo, said activity is a transparency and accountability mechanism where they present their development thrusts, status of LGU-funded projects, updates from other agencies, and to collect feedback on the programs being implemented from community members themselves. Harampang is also an avenue for information dissemination of new programs and services being delivered by the LGU and various agencies and organizations.

Relative to the Harampang and the adopted PSA process, LGU Barugo also conducts the annual barangayan dubbed as “Serbisyo ha Barangay” where all barangays are visited for the actual delivery of basic social services such as free medical and dental mission, free registration, feeding program and trainings like disaster preparedness and safety. Through this, the LGU is able to bring government services closer to the public.

Like the Kalahi-CIDSS’ objective, Barugo also aims for Improved Local Governance. In fact, the Municipality of Barugo has made a back-to-back victory for being awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government with the Seal of Good Housekeeping/Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for year 2015, 2016 and 2017. Said recognition  only proves Barugo’s good perfomance as a  municipal government not only on financial housekeeping, but also on other areas that directly benefit the people such as social protection and disaster-risk reduction management.

“We are very proud to say that we have fully utilized the SGLG prize money from DILG for the construction of the much needed seawall in Barugo. Said project is 90-linear meter in length constructed in Barangay Minuhang which complemented the previous seawall sub-projects completed in the barangay through Kalahi-CIDSS”, Mayor Avestruz added.

With the collective action of almost all sectors in Barugo, the said municipality has accomplished 46 Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects funded by the MCC, and a total of 65 projects were constructed and have been turned-over to communities under the NCDDP Cycles 1 to 3.

“If we are going to connect all the access roads, tirepaths, pathwalks and footbridges constructed in Barugo from MCC and NCDDP funding, we will be able to construct a highway with a total length of 830 kilometers almost linking Tacloban City and Metro Manila. It is actually 370 times the measurement of San Juanico Bridge.  This milestone became possible because of the hardwork and dedication of  5,246 Barug-on volunteers”, Mayor Avestruz proudly stated.

Bridget’s Bridge   

 If there is one story that would reflect  the perseverance of our Barug-on, it would be the story of Brgy.  Balud.

For decades, residents of Balud have been praying for a project that would connect them to mainland. The only thing that ties the 148 households to the Poblacion of Barugo is an old wooden bridge famously known as the Barawalte Bridge built for over 75 years.

One famous story in Brgy. Balud which encouraged the residents to push the prioritization of the sub-project, is the story of a mother who actually gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the middle of the old wobbly wooden bridge. The baby was later named BRIDGET who eventually became the face of Balud’s real condition.

“It was very difficult. Crossing the old Barawalte Bridige was like putting your life into great danger, worst for kids and elders. I almost lost  my baby girl. Thank God she was safe.”, Armelinda Lozada disclosed in an interview.

The people’s solution was the construction of a footbridge through Kalahi-CIDSS’ project implementation.

This particular story and the collective struggle of the community members of Balud in order to access the mainland of  Barugo proper were the primary reasons why the community harmoniously worked for the planning and implementation of the sub-project which they consider a blessing to their families, most especially their children.

“Residents of our village were very eager to be part of the implementation and construction of our footbridge because it was our need. Finally we will be able to answer our major problem”, said Jebet Quintana, a Kalahi-CIDSS Brgy. Representative Team member.

Today, 700 residents in Balud are no longer using the old wooden bridge. Due to the construction of the new 160 linear meter footbridge which was completed in March 2016, farmers and fishermen can easily trade their produce and sell their catch to the nearest market. Aside from the positive impact on the community’s industry, students can already go to school without any difficulty while parents will no longer worry for the safety of their children.

“The Kalahi-CIDSS had greatly contributed to participatory governance in our barangay through community organizing and inclusive decision making. Now, almost everyone is willing to join the barangay assembly”, Rogelio Claros, Brgy. Balud Chairperson explained.

With the collective action of the Barug-on and their compassion towards their community and fellow citizens, Barugo is one of the Best LGUs which topped the CDD implementation municpal ranking for 2017.

The Bayani Ka Responsibility

Although winning the National Bayani Ka Award branded the LGU Barugo as a CDD Champion, the municipality went beyond its responsibility as a partner CDD implementer of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS. Today, Barugo is already a CDD Ambassador in Eastern Visayas, pushing for its legislation and institutionalization across all municipalities in the region.

 “The awards are secondary. In fact, we were not thinking of it. The award should be given to our modern day heroes, our Community Volunteers and the Kalahi CIDSS personnel. So, when we were informed that we got the Regional and National Bayani Ka Award for the Best Municipality Category,  we literally offered the award to our community volunteers while advocating for CDD. We actually brought the plaque to every barangay so that all BLGUs, volunteers and residents would have a glimpse of the result of their sacrifices and commitment”, Mayor Avestruz shared.

LGU staff of Barugo have committed to work on the promotion of CDD sustainability.

For over a year now, LGU Barugo has been one of the lead municipalities up for CDD legislative advocacy. Specifically, Mayor Macel Avestruz served as a Resource Person during CDD Sustainability Planning Workshops for LGUs and her fellow Local Chief Executives. Barugo also hosted a series of knowledge sharing and learning visits showcasing their good implementation practices and success stories to other members of the Municipal Inter-Agency Committee from other provinces.

“To my fellow Local Chief Executives, let us not be satisfied by the old saying that government service is slow service. Let us raise the bar of government service through CDD”, Mayor Avestruz emphasized during her speech in one of the sustainability workshops conducted by DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS.

As of December  31, 2017, a total of 5,787 sub-projects has been completed in the region, with a total fund disbursement of Php 4.3 Billion from NCDDP Cycles 1 to 3 and funding from the Incentive Grant and the Tier 2 Implementation for selected champion municipalities.

Because of these sub-projects and the participatory processess and activities conducted, the program has already engaged a total of 198,574 community volunteers who were highly trained, leading to the successful implementation of their identified intervention and community projects which they can call their own.

LGU Barugo Staff headed by Mayor Macel Avestruz together with DSWD Regional Director Resty Macuto and Undersecretary Malou Turalde-Jarabe and Region VIII winners during the National Kalahi-CIDSS Bayani Ka Awarding Ceremony held in August 2017.

A total of fifty (50) barangays from Eastern Visayas, currently covered by Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kalahi-CIDSS program, qualified for the additional grant for Livelihood and Enterprise (L&E) amounting to PhP 47,000,000.00 under the NCDDP (National Community-Driven Development Program) Livelihood and Enterprise Project.

Said grant is through the partnersihp of DSWD and Asian Development Bank to implement additional financing to restore the lives of Typhoon Yolanda victims across the country.

Although Kalahi-CIDSS has already accomplished 5, 309 sub-projects in the region as of October 19, 2017, more communities are still proposing to engage in livelihood–related projects.

A large percentage of these Kalahi-CIDSS completed sub-projects are geared towards post-typhoon rehabilitation of community infrastructure, delivery of basic social services, and environmental protection  and disaster mitigation. However, these do not directly answer their call for direct income generation.

Kalahi-CIDSS also partnered with DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and various government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others. These entities have advanced experience on L&E that aim to economically empower the poor, the disadvantaged and marginalized.

All 50 barangays, from 33 municipalities in Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte and Biliran province, passed the ranking and project proposal prioritization during the Regional Inter-municipal Forum (RIMF) held in September 2017 in Tacloban City.

All project proposals were reviewed and validated prior to its approval, based on the the following criteria: vulnerability of the proponent; existing association, operation and maintenance (O & M) group;  marketability and availability of materials; acquired technical capability of proponent, active LGU and other agencies giving technical assistance and can generate employment outside organization or association.

Moreover, the Production of Coco-based Products proposed project of Brgy. Look, Anahawan, Southern Leyte ranked first during the prioritization with a total grant of more than 1 million pesos.  Most of the proposed L & E sub-projects were on food production, skills training, hog raising, mushroom and flower plantation, and acquisition of equipment and facilities for increased food production. (R. Maray-Lim/SMU)

Regional Financial Analyst Sheryl Salvatierra explains the financial aspect of Kalahi-CIDSS’ Livelihood and Enterprise Project during the Project Development Workshop for Community Volunteers (Photo from Myrlina Pascual)