The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), in collaboration with the World Bank will pilot test the Social Mobilization Sub-Manual under the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) in Presentacion, Camarines Sur.

The initiative began with the Orientation-Workshop on Participatory Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and Municipal Resilience Planning for the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) of Presentacion, Camarines Sur from August 12 until August 15, 2025 at Hotel Sentro, Legazpi City, Albay.

The orientation-workshop aims to equip ACT members to facilitate Social Mobilization activities and processes as part of the pilot testing. Along with gathering suggestions and recommendations from field implementers, this will also assess the efficacy and applicability of the draft sub-manual.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted the importance of the successor project to the region, especially for the vulnerable sectors that are greatly affected by different risks, particularly the environmental risks.

“In the Bicol Region, we truly need this kind of program, since our region is frequently hit by typhoons. Without this program, what would happen to the vulnerable sectors that are often affected by all forms of calamities, especially strong typhoons,” he explained.

He also shared that the program gives power and rights to our fellow citizens, even the smallest ones, to take part in running the government from the smallest unit, the barangay, up to the highest levels of governance.

A series of activities will be conducted in Presentacion, Camarines Sur from August to September such as the Orientation-Workshop for the Municipal Resilience Team (MResT), barangay assemblies, Participatory barangay-level risk or vulnerability assessment, desk consolidation of all barangay-level risk or vulnerability assessment, and municipal level risk or vulnerability assessment and resilience planning.

The PCRP intends to strengthen community capacities for participatory resilience planning and increase access to resilience investments in vulnerable areas. For the Bicol Region, the project targets a total of 79 municipalities in six (6) provinces.

“This selection is not only a recognition of our region’s potential, but also a testament to the strong collaboration and shared vision between our local institutions and the unending support of the World Bank,” Regional Director Laurio added.