DSWD conducted the first batch of the Sustainability Evaluation Orientation for the local government units (LGUs) last September 13-15 at Ninong’s Hotel, Legazpi City.

Lectures and discussions on sub-projects’ sustainability were presented during the training. There was an on-site application of sustainability evaluation and actual administration of sustainability evaluation tool on the identified sub-projects.

The next batch will be trained on September 21-23 in Naga City. The activity was participated in by LGU officials from municipalities that completed community-identified sub-projects implemented under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), a DSWD program that seeks to help alleviate poverty through community-driven development (CDD).

As of September 1, 2016, There are 517 completed out of 1,381 sub-projects under Kalahi-CIDSS Cycle 1 (2014-2015). The remaining sub-projects are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

In Kalahi-CIDSS, sustainability evaluation uses a survey tool that includes indicators that serve as basis of evaluating the functionality of completed sub-projects in terms of its organizational/institutional component, financial management system, and physical-technical, operation and maintenance condition. It also assesses impacts and benefits generated from the sub-project.

The LGUs are expected to administer the sustainability evaluation through the formation of the Multi-Stakeholders Inspectorate Team (MSIT). The MSIT is formed in every municipality covered by KalahI-CIDSS which include the department heads and local officials with the assistance of the DSWD technical staff.

“Sustainability evaluation orientation for LGUs is essential because LGUs will play a crucial role in its conduct this December,” DSWD Dir. Arnel Garcia said.

During the simulation of Sustainability Evaluation in Guinobatan, Albay last September 14, 2016, Mayor Ann Ongjoco said that the LGU is committed to ensure that communities will sustain their sub-projects.

“Aalagaan namin ang mga proyekto ng Kalahi-CIDSS. Gagawin namin na mandatory through an executive order na isabay sa barangay development funds ang allocation para sa operations and maintenance ng kanilang proyekto,” Ongjoco said.

The operations of the CDD approach expanded into a national scale, which was tried and proven effective by Kalahi-CIDSS. 101 poor municipalities in Bicol are under its expansion from 2014 to 2019 with a total of grant of Php4,497,448,178.