In 2025, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), accomplished 29 sub-projects with a total cost of PHP 43,541,084.93 in the Bicol Region, benefitting 3,209 households.

From the total cost, PHP 38,430,582.48 came from the KALAHI-CIDSS grant, while PHP 5,110,502.45 came from Local Counterpart Contribution (LCC) of Municipal/Barangay Local Government Units (M/BLGUs).

Under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay – Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD) and Pag-abot modalities, these sub-projects were implemented in Albay (1), Camarines Sur (24), Catanduanes (3), and Sorsogon (1). From the 3,209 household beneficiaries, 2,990 were under KKB-CDD, while 219 households benefited from the Pag-abot modality.

The sub-projects were comprised of seven (7) flood control or river control sub-projects, six (6) roads, four (4) footpaths or foot trail,  two (2) health stations, one (1) school building, one (1) community center or multi-purpose building, one (1) boat sub-project, one (1) bridge, one (1) livelihood training, two (2) pre-and post-harvest facilities, and three (3) from other sub-projects such as equipment, buildings, etc.

Under the KALAHI-CIDSS program, the projects were implemented by communities, which generated 4,694 community volunteers. From these volunteers, 3,123 are female, while 1,571 are male.

Communities participated in various implementation activities from planning, implementation, up to the operations and maintenance of the sub-projects. This is to ensure transparency, accountability, and participation in implementing community-driven interventions.

DSWD Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted that the accomplishments stemmed from the strong support of the LGUs and communities.

“These results show the capacity of communities to efficiently manage the resources and deliver their prioritized interventions to directly respond to their needs,” Director Laurio explained.

He also shared that beyond the sub-projects, the communities gained skills in planning, financial management, procurement, project implementation, and maintenance, which will lead to a more sustainable development outcome.

One of the community volunteers who shared their time and effort in implementing the interventions is Maria Teresa V. Dominguez, Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group chairperson in Barangay Dolo, San Jose, Camarines Sur.

According to Dominguez, through the KALAHI-CIDSS process, the community learned the importance of collective action and cooperation in achieving the project’s objectives.

“Ito ang programa na nakitaan ko ng pagkakaroon ng gampanin at pananagutan sa mga proyekto,” she noted.

(This is the program where I observed a strong sense of responsibility and accountability in the implementation of projects.)

The volunteer added that thorough planning and regular inspection paved the way for a smooth and successful implementation of the project.