Australian Embassy officials visit DSWD project sites of KALAHI CIDSS in Pilar and Donsol in Sorsogon and Legazpi City last May 26 and 27, respectively. (L-R) Rosella Agcaoili (senior program officer), Australian Ambassador David Dutton, Robyn Piti (Counselor for peace and education ) during a study visit in Brgy. Esperanza, Pilar, Sorsogon last May 26.

A two-day community visit which commenced last May 26 was undertaken by Australian Embassy officials headed by Ambassador David Dutton to DSWD project sites funded by Australian government in Bicol.

Joining the ambassador were Rosella Agcaoili (senior program officer) and Robyn Piti (counselor for peace and education).

The said group visited Pilar, Donsol and Legazpi City wherein they have interviewed community-implementers and beneficiaries of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI CIDSS), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), the social protection programs of DSWD which have been long supported by the Australian government.

The visit provided the opportunity to Australian visitors the information on how the said programs/projects are being implemented and converged at the community level and how these contributed to local growth and personal development.

According to DSWD FO V Dir. Garcia, the officials of the Australian Embassy learned directly from the beneficiaries and implementers of the community being served by DSWD.

“In particular, I’ve learned the community-driven development approach [of KALAHI CIDSS] is really interesting. This is new to me because I’m still learning our work here,” Ambassador Dutton said.

During the visit in Bitano last May 27, the team

Moreover, the Senior Australian Embassy officials were able to observe the conduct of the Family Development Session (FDS) and interact with the beneficiaries in Brgy. Esperanza, Pilar and Brgy. Pangpang in Donsol.

Similarly, the officials interviewed the community-implementers on how they managed and constructed the Australian-supported day care centers and school buildings under KALAHI CIDSS project in the same barangays.

“Natupad yung pangarap naming na makakuha ng proyekto sa KALAHI CIDSS. Maayos at maganda na ang day care center namin [Our dream to get a KALAHI CIDSS project came true. We now have a clean and orderly day care center],” Marites Triñanes, a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary said.

Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has already provided a total grant of Php45,332,272.75 to complete the construction of 45 school buildings and day care centers which is being benefited by 14,597 household beneficiaries in seven (7) municipalities in Bicol. These municipalities are Pilar, Claveria, Cataingan, Palanas, Manito, Rapu-Rapu and Donsol which previously implemented KALAHI CIDSS, however, certain communities were not prioritized under the project.

“For Australian government, education is the highest priority. In our development work in the Philippines, we’ve been supporting programs promoting education,” he added.

Mayor Jospehine Alcantara of Donsol had agreed to Ambassador Dutton and said that she strongly supports programs for education that’s why she highly value KALAHI CIDSS project in Donsol.

Meanwhile, the local government unit (LGU) of Pilar headed by Mayor Dennis Reyes, assured the Australian donors that all community projects are in good hands.

“We will take care of the repairs in partnership with the barangay LGUs. If the barangay’s funds are already exhausted, we will provide resource augmentation,” he said.

Ambassador Dutton personally thanked the communities they visited during the two-day trip in Bicol.

“It is great to come to a classroom and see what real difference it makes to people’s lives,” he said.

The Australian government played a fundamental role in the inception of the Pantawid Pamilya in 2008 and has continuously provided support in further enhancing the implementation of the Program. As part of the exit strategy for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, Australia has likewise supported SLP to help ensure that families will be able to continue the education of their children.

Gil Tuparan, Senior Technical Officer of DSWD Central Office who was joined by DSWD regional staff namely Assistant Regional Director for Operations Corazon Miña, KALAHI CIDSS Project Coordinator Jaygee Masanque, KALAHI CIDSS Engineer Rene Barba, SLP External Relations Officer Earl Cecilio, Convergence focal person Marilou Palacio and Pantawid Pamilya Provincial Link Cecil Gubot were also present during the said activity.