A total of 4,870 eligible sub-projects implemented in the Bicol Region were evaluated on sustainability under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) in 2025.

Spearheaded by the Multi-Stakeholder Inspectorate Teams (MSITs) in communities, the Sustainability Evaluation (SE) sought to assess whether the community interventions still function effectively according to operational, institutional, and financial aspects and deliver benefits to communities six months and a year after the completion.

From the total sub-projects that underwent SE, 93.94% were rated from excellent to very satisfactory, which reflects strong performance in terms of functionality, maintenance, and community management.

According to the Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, the result shows that most KALAHI-CIDSS projects remain operational, well-managed, and responsive to community needs.

“The 2025 Sustainability Evaluation of sub-projects clearly shows that barangays have the capacity in sustaining development initiatives when they are involved, supported, and empowered,” Director Laurio noted.

He added that the community projects served as proof that KALAHI-CIDSS is beyond the infrastructure, but rather it is about collective responsibility, ownership, and bayanihan.

Some of the sub-projects that addressed the community priorities were day care centers, roads, provision of amenities for child development centers, footpath and isolation facilities.

The results of the evaluation activities will also be used to refine policies, strengthen technical support, and capacity-building initiatives for the communities.