Asst. Regional Director for Administration Lorna Rebanal welcomes the participants of the two-day consultation dialogue with family court judges on adoption at Casablanca Hotel, Legazpi City last August 8, 2018. She emphasized that the result of this is for the best interest and welfare of the adoptees.

Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V conducted a two-day dialogue with family court judges in Bicol about adoption last August 8-9, 2018 at Casablanca Hotel.

The Protective Services Division through the Adoption Resource and Referral Section (ARRS) discussed the domestic and inter-country adoption process to the court social workers, clerk of court and Regional Trial Court judges.

A workshop ensued thereafter to gather agreements and recommendations to address issues on adoption cases. This meeting also wanted to strengthen partnerships with courts handling the adoption process and align these procedures in accordance to rules and guidelines.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Lorna Rebanal said that the results reaped from the consultation are for the best interest and welfare of the children subject for adoption.

“We will also use the family courts’ recommendations to ensure speedy adoption process because we want these children in need to have proper and permanent parental care and entitle them with rights similar to the biological children,” Rebanal added.

The DSWD Central Office representatives were also present to document policy recommendations with Dir. Bernadette Abejo of Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB).

Moreover, Secretary Virginia N. Orogo reiterated that the importance of legal adoption is to prevent birth simulation that deprives adopted children to know their identity and to break the stigma that legal adoption is only for people who can afford the process.

Based on the ARRS data, 178 children were declared legally available for adoption in Bicol from 2009 to present; 42 of which are placed for domestic adoption while 117 children are cleared for inter-country adoption.

Adoption as an alternative parental care program is one of the statutory programs of the DSWD for abandoned and neglected children as guided by Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8552, the Domestic Adoption Act; R.A. No. An Act Authorizing the Secretary of DSWD to issue a Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA).

Recently, the DSWD Regional Directors have the authority to issue Pre-Adoption Placement Authority, Affidavit of Consent to Adoption and Inter-Country Adoption Matching Clearance

Any interested individuals may seek DSWD’s free services. For those who want to adopt, they can visit DSWD Region V ARRS located at Buraguis, Legazpi City or may call (052) 8201309. However, applicants are advised that they need to spend a considerable amount on legal services and documentary requirements in line with the adoption process.

DSWD Social workers attend to local adoption cases either through walk-in applicants or courts order received from the Regional Trial Courts and referrals from local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) for technical assistance.

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Erlinda Buena, 54, Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee chairman explains her roles and responsibilities in the implementing the cable bridge sub-project to Brgy. Capt. Jose Olos during the Stakeholder – Community Volunteer exchange last June 28, 2018 at Brgy. San Vicente, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. /Photo by: Arjay Malto

Ocampo, Camarines Sur – “Naranasan ko na tumawid ng ilog na hanggang leeg ang tubig dahil sa kailangan ko bumili ng gamot para sa asawa kong mayroong sakit (I have experienced crossing the river with flood rising to neck level because I have to buy medicine for my sick husband),” Leony Fraginal, 63, community volunteer on Monitoring and Inspection recounted.

Surrounding the vast rice fields, you will see the ongoing construction of cable bridge. Unflagging construction workers carry heavy sacks of sands to transfer it to the other side of the terrain, where community members live called Sitio Pinacuan, a zone of Brgy. San Vicente.

Just to transport those bags of aggregates, the workers must trek the slope with a height of three-story building. Despite exhaustion, you will notice the undying vigor to finish the tasks since it is a community project led by residents.

Before, residents must cross a river just to reach Ocampo town proper and the trip becomes more difficult during the rainy season as the water level rises.

The residents would often use a raft and rope to help them cross the river. It isn’t enough to solve their problem because the raft can only handle three (3) people. There is also no assurance if they can cross the river without getting submerge from the water.

“Kapag binabaha ang aming daanan, hindi na makapasok ang mga bata sa eskwelahan. Minsan hinihintay pa namin ang tubig na bumaba bago sila makapasok (When the path is flooded, our children cannot go to school. There are times we have to wait for the flood to subside before we can cross the river),” Nancy Godoy, 56, community volunteer on Procurement recounted.

These residents were the ones who planned, accounted and executed the sub-project – a community project generated from the planning process of Department of Social Welfare and Development Office Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS). The sub-project was identified through Barangay Assembly or Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) attended by the residents to determine possible solutions to address the problem or need.

DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS aims to have barangays or communities become empowered to achieve improved access of services and to participate in more inclusive planning, budgeting and implementation.

To implement the sub-project identified, there are community volunteers who work for free. This group of community volunteers is called as Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) which is led by a BSPMC chairman.

As a community volunteer, no one will expect any financial return but the happiness to help the barangay in the improvement of the access of services.

Despite facing difficulties, community volunteers are still full of joy since they can create an infrastructure project that will be used by the community and future generations.

“Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, kahit napapagod at nahihirapan, masaya naman ako. Naiisip ko na itong trabahong ibinigay sa akin, hindi ito lang para sa akin pero para sa barangay (I tell myself that despite experiencing tiredness and difficulties, I am happy. I also think that this job is not just for me but for the barangay also,” Erlinda Buena, 54, BSPMC chairman explained.

STAKEHOLDER – COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER EXCHANGE ACTIVITY

To appreciate the hard work and sacrifice of the volunteers as well as the endless guidance of the barangay local government unit (BLGU), the barangay participated in the Stakeholder- Community Volunteer activity or Pamumunong Makamasa: Pagkilos na Sama-Sama. This is a nationwide event in celebration of the 4^th anniversary of National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) last June 2018.

This activity is like a mirror — putting oneself in someone else’s shoes as a form of reflection on someone’s circumstances and understanding their perspective or point of view. Once we realize the viewpoint, we understand that there’s something more in the picture.

San Vicente Barangay Captain Jose Olos, 53, gladly accepted the challenge which is to demonstrate the construction and monitoring of the sub-project. For a day, Olos assisted in the construction of the cable bridge together with the barangay council by shoveling aggregates carried by the council members as well as community volunteers.

“Nakikita ko na maganda ang pamamalakad ng proyekto ng mga community volunteers. Sa akin naman sa pag-momonitor, pag-evaluation at pag-implement ng proyekto, nagbibigay ako ng technical assistance at palagi ako updated sa kanila [community volunteers] kasi gusto ko mangyari yung proyekto (I notice that the community volunteers are very good in implementing the project. On the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the project, I often give technical assistance and I am always updated on their activities),” Olos stated.

During the activity, the community volunteers and barangay council shared their learnings along the implementation of the sub-project.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga community volunteers dahil nagkaisa kami dito sa Kalahi pati rin ang barangay (I am thanking the community volunteers because we are united through Kalahi as well as the whole barangay),” Fraginal said.

According to Rey Albino, 49, barangay councilor, he sees DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS as a program that greatly helps communities.

“Alam namin na ang Kalahi, maganda ang kanilang layunin para sa aming komunidad,” Albino shared.

The barangay councilor also cited how the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS’ process give opportunities to people in improving their communities.

“Maganda po ang proseso ng Kalahi kasi community ang nagdesisyon. Dahil sa Kalahi, maraming tao ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon pati na ang mga kababaihan na magkaroon ng partisipasyon sa ating buong komunidad (The process of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS is effective because it gives the community to decide on their projects. Through Kalahi, many people were given opportunities especially women to be part of improving this community),” Albino stated.

To date, the cable bridge is on its 50% physical accomplishment.

Despite their near-death experience, these people stand resilient to improve their community. Their right to decide is not given by others because they were born with it. #FSRAMS06July2018

About DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS

Camarines Sur has implemented Kalahi-CIDSS in 35 municipalities with a total implementation grant of PhP 1,919,920,535.81 and local counterpart contribution of Php 14,435,890.96 from barangay and municipal local government units (LGUs) to fund community-managed sub-projects.

DSWD had allocated Ocampo with PhP 60,928,835.00 with a counterpart from the LGU of Php 468,806.00.

The construction of cable bridge has a total project cost of PhP 3,104,272.72 which will benefit 100 households.

For more details about DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, follow this link:

http://ncddp.dswd.gov.ph/site/faqs

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Legazpi City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol completed the validation of poor households under the Listahanan for inclusion in the government’s Unconditional Cash Transfer Program (UCT).

DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said that from the 147, 486 target households in the region, 124,374 has been validated and updated their family profiles while the remaining not validated households were unlocated,have transferred residence or vacant during the visit.

The validation, which was conducted from March to June this year, aims to ensure that households who will benefit from the UCT program belong to the poorest households and will physically receive the grant.

“The DSWD used the result of the Listahanan assessment conducted in 2015 as the basis for the validation in determining potential beneficiaries of the UCT”, explained Garcia.

According to him, the validated households have been subjected to the Proxy Means Test (PMT), a statistical model that approximates family’s income based on the observable and verifiable indicators as a result of the house to house interview.

He disclosed that based on the PMT result, there are 89,639 poor households in the region who will be eligible recipients of the program. Meanwhile, the registration will commence this month until August where beneficiaries will be enrolled for automated teller machine (ATM) card account opening in the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) which the latter is responsible for the distribution of the cash grants. DSWD will administer the registration process and submit the details to LBP.

“We will be closely coordinating with the local government units for the registration schedule per municipality and to the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) as our partner in the distribution of cash grants”, said Garcia.

Beneficiaries will be notified about the upcoming registration schedule through their respective LGUs.

Garcia announced that during the registration, each beneficiary needs to bring the following documentary requirements:

 3 pcs. 2×2 photo  Photocopy of 1 valid government ID ( SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, TIN, Philhealth, Passport, Driver’s License, Postal, Voter’s ID, Solo Parent ID, Senior Citizen’s ID)

The agency targets to distribute the UCT cash grants for the Listahanan-identified poor in the third quarter of the year.

The UCT is the cash subsidy provision of the government to the poor who will be adversely affected by the rising prices of commodities brought out by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Formerly known as the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), Listahanan is an information management system that identifies WHO and WHERE the poor are in the country. It serves as the baseline for the identification of potential beneficiaries of the social protection programs.

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Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V will start its payout of the PhP2,400 under its Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program to 195,107 indigent senior citizens as its target beneficiaries in Bicol.

There will be a simultaneous payout tomorrow (July 14) in different towns in Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

With the ongoing payout, Social Pension Program beneficiaries are advised to present their Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) ID and Certification Issued by DSWD Regional Office.

UCT is a cash subsidy provided under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to lessen the adverse economic effects brought by the said law to poor Filipinos. This will be implemented for three years (2018-2020).

“The UCT cash grant cannot cover all the household expenses. This is only an augmentation to the poor affected by the inflation,” Dir. Arnel Garcia said.

For this year, each beneficiary will receive a total of PhP2,400 which is equivalent to PhP200 per month and for the succeeding years, a beneficiary will receive PhP300 monthly or PhP3,600 annually.

The UCT will be given to beneficiaries of Social Pension and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Listahanan-identified poor households.

To date, DSWD paid a total amount of PhP897,964,800.00 to 374,152 households under Pantawid Pamilya in Bicol.

On the other hand, DSWD Region V has completed the validation of 147,486 Listahanan-identified poor households for potential inclusion in the UCT Program.

The DSWD targets to complete the release of the grant before the end of the year or by September.

The DSWD has partnered with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) to handle and monitor the distribution of grants.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) officially opens the Gubat Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) Bigasan Association, last June 03, 2018 at Brgy. Gubat, Daet, Camarines Norte.

The activity was graced and attended by Rev. Fr. Edgar Cerilo Eboña, program participants, DSWD staff and followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the business.

The project was under Microenterprise Development-Seed Capital Fund (MD-SCF). A total of Php 420,000.00 was allocated for the said project covers the cost per participants amounting to Php 10,000.00. MD Track focuses on starting, expanding or rehabilitating micro-enterprises, activities. This track includes entrepreneurship, technical – vocational and soft skills training.

Moreover, SCF is a capacity-building grant given to eligible SLP participants to finance the initial operations of their enterprise/s. It provides the participants with financial capital to be able to establish and manage their sustainable microenterprise/s, which should provide a stable source of income.

Since their barangay has a big number of population and rice is one of the basic commodities the Gubat 4P’s Bigasan Association decided to build their own business wherein its residents are forecasted to buy rice in the said store most especially the 4P’s families receiving rice subsidy.

On the other hand, DSWD/Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) /Local Government Unit (LGU) assisted the participants in the registration, other pertinent licenses such as barangay, mayor’s and retailer permit necessary for their microenterprise to officially and legally recognize the operations of the microenterprise. And, through the guidance of the DSWD, Gubat 4Ps Bigasan Association also received their certificate of accreditation as beneficiary Civil Society Organization.

Association President Maribel Rivero said, “Maraming salamat po sa staff ng SLP ng DSWD sa pagbibigay sa amin ng project na ito. Hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala sa biyayang ito na aming natanggap.” (Thank you for the staff of DSWD-SLP for giving us this project. Until now, we couldn’t believe to this grace that we have received.)

“Sisiguraduhin po naming na ito ay lalago at naway magkaroon pa kami ng ibang branch dito sa Daet. Napakalaking tulong nito sa amin at sa aming mga pamilya, gagawin po namin ang lahat para mapalago ang proyekto na ito.”, she added. (We will make sure that this project will prosper and we hope to open up other branches here in Daet. This is a big help for us and for our family and we will do everything for the success of this project).

Furthermore, SLP is a community-based capacity building program that aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the participants. It facilitates interventions that expand the livelihood asset base of the participants (human, social, physical, natural, and financial capital) so they may either have gainful employment or successfully manage a microenterprise. #PRNPOJ06/19/2018

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS) Region 5 achieved 1,631 community sub-projects in 68 municipalities with a grant of PhP 2,738,747,799.68 from Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The table below shows the breakdown of ADB grant to implement different modes of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS from 2014 to 2018:

The sub-projects refer to the community projects generated from DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS’ planning process. The community sub-projects were identified by Barangay Assembly (BA) through Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) and community consultations to respond or address needs or problems of the community.

The table below shows the sub-projects funded under ADB:

The ADB is a financial institution created in the early 1960s to foster economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. This institution also assists its members and partners through loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote socio-economic development.

CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES

On the other hand, DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS will conduct its capacity building activities from July 2018 until 2019.

The capacity building activities comprise of two (2) categories which are Barangay Development, Planning and Management System (BDPMS) or Makilahok and Organizational Development and Management (ODM).

The BDPMS or Makilahok is a supplementary training module on participatory governance with a fund of PhP27,136,200.00 from the government that helps barangay integrate community-based development approach into its regular development planning cycle.

Makilahok also lays the foundation for the adoption and institutionalization of CDD approach in local governance that will cover 11 municipalities.

For ODM, it is a series of training to capacitate operation and maintenance groups in the planning process of sustaining the sub-projects that will cover 32 municipalities with a fund of PhP13, 422, 065.20 from the government. This is to ensure the sustainability of sub-projects for extended benefits and strengthen the capability or capacity of operation and maintenance groups in managing the community projects.

Currently, the program continues to implement World Bank-funded sub-projects in 53 municipalities.

For more information, you may visit the official Facebook page: @dswdfo5 or DSWD Region V. #PRRAMS02July2018

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An intense fear grips to a mother senses, as the rain poured heavily and the winds grew stronger battering their defenseless home. She hurriedly packed their things to move out to a safer place. They left their house and sought for stronger and larger place to get away from danger.

This is always the state of Erlinda, 60, whenever a typhoon strikes their place. Their small and makeshift house can be reached after 15 to 20 minutes of walking, crossing three rivers from Barangay Poblacion. A remote barangay, Mayong valley of Tiwi town is the provincial boundary of Albay and Camarines Sur. It shares a common border with some barangays of Buhi and Sangay, Camarines Sur.

When typhoon Nock-ten also known as Nina pounded Albay and the rest of the Bicol region on Christmas night of December 2016, Erlinda and her family experienced storm’s rage again.

“Nakita ko na tumataas ang tubig, ang lakas na ng hangin at walang tigil ang ulan,“( “I saw the water level rise, the winds fearlessly roared and the rain became persistent,” said Erlinda.)

“Naramdaman namin ang lakas ng impact ng bagyong Nina kesa Bagyong Reming noong 2006”. (We felt a stronger impact of typhoon Nina than Typhoon Reming when hit us in 2006,” she added.)

According to Celso Bequillo, Barangay Secretary, their barangay has no evacuation center. Households only rely on those kind-hearted families who would open their housesto affected families during a disaster.

“Kahit yung paaralan dito ay hindi ligtas dahil malapit ito sa dagat”, (Even our school is not safe because it’s near the coast, said the official.)

Rebuilding shelter

When the storm finally calmed down and the water receded, she and her husband Nestor quickly checked their house and were dismayed on what they saw.       

“Walang natira sa amin. Tinangay ng baha ang buong bahay namin”. (“There was nothing left. Our house was washed away by floodwaters,” Erlinda recounts.)

Instead of grieving, the family focused on rebuilding their house. They are lucky and thankful that all of them made it out of the storm safe. In order to have a place to stay, they need to look for materials to build a new home.

It was devastating but the family needs to move on and be resilient for them to survive. So after constructing their house, her husband and her son went back to Camarines Norte where they work and earn a living as fishermen. Meanwhile, Erlinda had to take care of her two grandchildren whose parents are also working in Manila.

Erlinda was worried that time, not knowing when they will be able to rebuild their own house, a stronger and well-made one.

Bringing hope after the disaster

One day, Erlinda was surprised when someone from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) came to their house to interview them, month after typhoon Nina hit. The staff came to validate the families with totally and partially damaged houses who were deemed to receive cash assistance from DSWD

During the conduct of the interview, she could hardly feel her profound happiness, thinking that they will receive some assistance from the government.

“Noon, nakakatanggap kami ng mga relief goods pag may bagyo, pero itong pabahay,hindi namin alam na meron nito”. (Before, we have received relief goods when there’s typhoon, but this shelter assistance, we do not know that it exists, she said.)

When Erlinda received the cash aid from DSWD’s Shelter Assistance amounting to P30, 000. Her sister, who is also a recipient decided to give to her the amount that she received so that they can buy lumbers and other materials for the construction of the house. They agreed to combine the assistance that they received to finance the house construction.

“Hindi na namin inaasahan na makakatanggap pa kami ng tulong, malaking pasalamat namin sa DSWD dahil sa binigay na assistance, dahil dito nakapatayo kami ng bagong bahay. Ngayon, kahit na may bagyo, hindi na kami masyado mag aalala at matatakot dahil meron na kaming matibay na bahay na hindi na matutumba o maanod ng bagyo.” (We do not expect that we will still be receiving the assistance, we are very thankful to DSWD because of the shelter assistance, we were able to build a new house.  Now, when a storm strikes, we don’t have to worry much because we now have a sturdy house which can withstand typhoons,” shared Erlinda.)

DSWD’s Emergency Shelter Assistance 

The DSWD’s Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) is part of the rehabilitation efforts of the agency to help “Nina” affected families rebuild their homes. It enables them to purchase shelter materials required in constructing or repairing their damaged houses as a result of the disaster.

As of June 2018, a total of P2, 311,505,000.00 was distributed to households with totally and partially damaged houses in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.###

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Ryan Homan, 32, head teacher and little volunteers of San Jose Elementary School show others that age does not matter in helping the community through education.

When you volunteer, you already have an idea of what kind of community you wanted to live in. You also have the volition to serve other people because of your unending love for your family, friends and village.

According to Martin Luther King, Jr., a renowned leader of civil rights movement, everybody can be great because anybody can serve. He also said we don’t have to have a college degree to serve. We don’t have to make our subject and our verb agree to serve. We don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. We only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

Volunteerism does not require how much you earned or what degree you’ve finished. If you have the heart and soul to serve, nobody can question your abilities to help others. Even if you cannot read or unable to walk, nobody can stop you to serve.

This is what Barangay San Jose of Donsol, Sorsogon showed when they were given the chance to create improvements in their village.

Barangay San Jose is a 45-minute travel from the Donsol town main business district through “habal-habal” or motorcycle ride, a mode transportation widely used when going to the village. One of barangay’s salient features considering its surroundings is the hanging bridge overlooking its beautiful sparkling river.

Other than its serene environment, the people of Barangay San Jose do not fail to flash their warm smiles as you cross the hanging bridge.

From the bridge, you will see a bamboo raft painted in color green with Balsa (raft) Basa (read) Project signage which is parked by the riverbank.

The raft is used to reach households living along the riverbank to teach children on how to read or improve their comprehension skills.

BALSA BASA PROJECT

Started in 2013, the Balsa Basa Project is a floating school and library to reach children in far-flung areas who cannot go to school or must walk for one-hour just to reach the school. During weekends, students of Barangay San Jose Elementary School called as “little teachers” help fellow children to read. They would bring books, supplies and food when going to the distant neighborhoods.

“Naisipan ko na mag-initiate ng ganitong gawain na mag-volunteer kasi nakita ko yung hirap ng kanilang buhay (I initiate this activity to help communities because I have observed the difficulties they have experienced),” Ryan Homan, 32, head teacher of San Jose Elementary School and founder of Balsa Basa project.

According to Homan, the children who benefitted from this project are also happy to come to school. He also said that they were able to encourage parents to allow their children to study and go to school.

“Nag-increase na yung cooperation ng mga magulang, almost 100% na through Bayanihan system (Parents’ cooperation has increased to almost 100% through collective action),” he added.

Karen Toledo, 13, student of San Jose Elementary School shared her experience as little teacher or volunteer for the project.

“Nagsimula ako maging little teacher nung makita ko yung mga bata na hindi pa masyadong marunong magbasa kaya nagpursige ako na matutong magbasa para ako ang magturo sa kanila (I started as a little teacher because I saw that there are children who don’t know how to read properly so I tried my best to learn reading to teach them),” Toledo recounted.

Toledo also shared her dream as a teacher.

“Gusto ko maging guro katulad ni Sir Ryan na nagtuturo sa mga bata na hindi pa marunong magbasa (I want to be a teacher like Sir Ryan who educates children who doesn’t know how to read),” she explained.

According to Toledo, she became more active as a little teacher because she saw how effective the project to children who wants to learn reading.

Last January, the first Balsa Basa Festival was organized in celebration of 5^th anniversary of the project. It is a week-long event recognizing the efforts of the volunteers, parents, teachers and students who contributed to the improvement of their village.

Some of the activities conducted were Karera ng mga Balsa (race using rafts), Street Dancing Competitions, Musikang Pang-Kabataan (Music for Youth), Street Presentation and Motorcade. This is to promote tourism as well as inspire other communities that reading can be made possible even in impoverished villages.

Aside from the floating school and library, the village put up a vegetable garden upon entering the school premises. The vegetables were used during the feeding program of the school.

Located at the center side, a nipa hut was constructed for students when they read books in their free time. To appreciate the beauty of nature, a reading garden was set up for students who love flowers and plants while reading their books. On the other hand, a ship-like classroom called “Bangkaaraman” was built to cater to students in kindergarten on learning the letters of the Alphabet.

HELPING AS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

To further help the village, Homan is also the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) chairman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS).

DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program which uses the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach to empower barangays or municipalities in achieving improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation.

The community experienced difficulties in traveling because of their muddy terrain. Seeing this as a need to solve, the village members decided to construct a concrete pathway through the program.

According to Homan, it was very tough to encourage people to volunteer for this kind of endeavor.

“Mahirap mag-convince, naghahanap buhay sila kaya wala silang time (It is difficult to convince people because they are working so they don’t have time for other activities),” he explained.

But the teacher realized that we only need one person to initiate the project to persuade others in helping for the community.

“Kailangan lang na may isang tao na mag-iinitiate ng isang aktibidad para maraming tao ang gumaya (We only need one person to start the activity so that many people will join),” the BSPMC chairman advised.

“May naka-kwentuhan akong nanay, willing siya na mag-volunteer kasi ang sarap sa pakiramdam na makatulong sa isang gawain nang libre para sa komunidad (I had talked with a mother and she is willing to volunteer because it is fulfilling to help for free in an activity that will improve our community),” he continued.

To Homan, it is important to inculcate to fellow citizens and youth the spirit of volunteerism.

“Nagkaroon ng mindset tungkol sa pag-vovolunteer na ito ay isang napakagandang kaugalian na i-inculcate sa mga ka-baryo at kabataan kasi ito lang yung kaugaliang Pilipino na ipagmamalaki natin para mapadali ang ating gawain at maging successful ang ating activity (The community realized that the spirit of volunteerism is a good value to instill to fellow barrio folks and youth because it is one of the values of a Filipino we can boast of for the success of any activity),” Homan stated. #FSRAMS18June2018

About DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS

Sorsogon has implemented Kalahi-CIDSS in 14 municipalities with a total implementation grant of Php 649,008,985.02 and local counterpart contribution of Php 14,435,890.96 from barangay and municipal local government units (LGUs) to fund community-managed sub-projects.

DSWD had allocated Donsol with Php 62,554,951.58 with a counterpart from the LGU of Php 468,806.00.

The construction of 450-meter concrete pathway has a total project cost of Php 572,588.00 which benefitted 35 households.

For more details about DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, follow this link:

http://ncddp.dswd.gov.ph/site/faqs

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