The Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Mandaon, Masbate has made a momentous step in local governance by approving the ordinance institutionalizing and adopting the Community-Driven Development (CDD) process of Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

The ordinance was passed on October 7, 2024 to emphasize the LGU’s commitment to ensuring community empowerment, people’s participation, transparency, and accountability measures for inclusive growth.

According to Mandaon Mayor Kristine Salve Hao-Kho, the ordinance empowers the communities to take the lead in shaping their own future, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their town.

“This initiative is more than just a program; it’s a good commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability,” she explained.

Based on the ordinance, the barangay projects chargeable against the 20% of Municipal Development Fund will be using the implementing principles of CDD, an approach being used by KALAHI-CIDSS to empower communities in addressing their development needs. On the other hand, community projects amounting to PHP 2 million and above shall be exempted in the ordinance.

The LGU will provide a Local Counterpart Contribution comprising cash and non-cash items such as labor, heavy and light equipment, and any locally accessible materials, with the total amount representing the counterpart’s 20% equity.

Mayor Hao-Kho also encouraged the local chief executives to support the institutionalization of CDD.

“To my fellow municipal mayors, let us support the institutionalization of CDD program in our municipality to give our residents the privilege to help us share the future of our communities, to help them feel the sense of ownership of any development that we introduce and give them that sense of pride of being partners and part of what we accomplished,” she urged.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio also praised the LGU for taking a significant move to institutionalize CDD approach.

“The approval of this ordinance is a remarkable tribute to our commitment for development of communities. CDD is an incredible strategy that we hope other municipalities would also adopt, since it encourages communities to actively participate in their own development, building community empowerment,” he said.