The KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office and Municipal Local Government Unit of Cawayan in Masbate spearhead the ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Specific Implementation Arrangement (SIA) for the implementation of Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay – Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided orientation on Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay – Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD) to Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cawayan in Masbate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

The event served as the official start of the KALAHI-CIDSS KKB-CDD implementation in the municipality through the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Specific Implementation Arrangement (SIA) which demonstrated the commitment for Community-Driven Development (CDD). It was attended by Municipal Mayor Edgar S. Condor, department heads, Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay officials, and representatives from Civil Society Organizations.

During the activity, the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) and Area Coordinating Team discussed the program, goals, process, and implementation timeline.

Mayor Condor stated the town’s full support to the implementation of the program, emphasizing the importance in addressing the needs of communities.

“The KALAHI-CIDSS process will be implemented in the barangays, and the interventions may center on malnutrition and access to clean drinking water. Additionally, the process prepares the communities for potential funding of prioritized interventions,” he said.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted the agency’s commitment for participatory development.

“The program is more than just the projects but an opportunity for the people to build on the transparency, accountability, and participation of communities in local development,” he explained.

Previously, Cawayan implemented 193 subprojects in the municipality with a total KALAHI-CIDSS grant of PHP 169,771,525.50 and local counterpart contribution of PHP 24,621,703.31 from barangay and municipal LGUs.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program of DSWD that empowers communities to plan, implement, and sustain interventions that directly address the needs through the use of Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.