The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warns local chief executives (LCEs) and other government officials against people falsely identifying themselves as employees or representatives of DSWD negotiating for KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program).

Reports have reached the Department that there are individuals claiming to be employees or representatives of DSWD who approached LCEs to facilitate their inclusion and enrollment in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP in exchange for a broker’s fee.

The DSWD wishes to clarify that it has not authorized any individual or entity to perform “brokering” functions for the Department. LCEs are not required to pay fees in order to be evaluated and included in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP. Only the Regional Director and the Assistant Regional Director for Operations in DSWD Field Offices have the authority to inform and advise the LGUs within their region, assess their readiness to implement the program, and perform all related matters concerning engagement with LGUs, together with their team of project staff.

Certain eligibility criteria involving poverty incidence and being affected by TS Yolanda were set by KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP to identify which municipalities will be included in the program.

DSWD Field Office V Director Arnel Garcia advised local government units (LGUs) and the public to directly inform him if they have encountered similar issues. They are requested to be vigilant about attempts to deceive them on the implementation of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP and other DSWD programs to help it take necessary legal steps against any person, group or organization misrepresenting the government.

LGUs are advised to contact the DSWD Regional Director to confirm if they are included in the eligible municipalities in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP.

KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is a DSWD poverty reduction program that uses the community-driven development (CDD) approach. It aims to empower communities to have access to basic services and to participate in inclusive local planning and budgeting.

DSWD will cover 92 municipal LGUs in Region V in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP for 2014. DSWD FO V is in the process of conducting preliminary activities in preparation for the implementation of the program and is expected to lead its regional grand launching by third quarter. It is currently hiring field workers in preparation for the program expansion.