The Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS) has completed 573 community projects with a total grant of Php129,316,552.89 in 15 municipalities of Bicol Region.

The 15 municipalities namely, local government units (LGUs) of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Vinzons in Camarines Norte; Bato, Pandan, Panganiban, Baras and San Miguel in Catanduanes; Dimasalang and Baleno in Masbate; Canaman and Lupi in Camarines Sur; Castilla, Santa Magdalena, Barcelona, and Casiguran in Sorsogon implemented the Disaster Response Operations Procedure (DROP) of the program.

DROP is a modified Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) aimed at responding to the impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Director Arnel Garcia, the projects completed were 18 capability building, 78 cash-for-work (CFW), 190 disaster response equipment or tools, 184 quarantine facilities, 26 livelihood equipment or buildings, 57 telecommunication equipment or devices, and 20 other COVID-19 response projects.

“A total of 104,016 household beneficiaries are benefitting from the 573 completed projects,” Director Garcia added.

He also recognized the support provided by the LGUs, stakeholders, and community volunteers who extended their effort to implement the program during the pandemic.

“DSWD is grateful for the unending support of the LGUs, stakeholders, and community volunteers to complete the projects that are benefitting affected households during this COVID-19 crisis,” Director Garcia imparted.

DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach that helps communities in poor municipalities to identify challenges along poverty, make informed decisions, and gives control of resources to address local poverty. /ramsertan