The Local Government Unit (LGU) Forum for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) was held on Tuesday, October 24 at Villa Caceres, Naga City.

The forum aimed at encouraging officials from LGUs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to have an open and active discussion on KALAHI-CIDSS program implementation and sharing of best practices and innovative ideas for institutionalization of Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio also emphasized that the forum served as a pivotal event for LGUs and DSWD committed to the development of the local communities.

“KALAHI-CIDSS is a testament of the power of collaboration, community involvement, and dedication of our LGUs to further improve the quality of life of its communities,” he explained.

Undersecretary for Operations Group Monina Josefina H. Romualdez, Assistant Secretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II and KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin graced the event.

“Let this forum be a springboard for innovations, a form of collaboration and a beacon of hope for a brighter future,” Undersecretary Romualdez stated.

She also added that through the help of LGUs, the Department will certainly achieve the goals and objectives that will ultimately benefit the nation.

CDD INSTITUTIONALIZATION

Assistant Secretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II highlighted that KALAHI-CIDSS is a transformation program to empower the people with the help of the LGU.

“Community-Driven Development ay dapat ma-institutionalize into a law at through this, kailangan natin ng buy-in at ang makakapagkumbinsi nito ay ang mga LGU, mga partner natin at ang mga tao,” he stressed.

(Community-Driven Development should be institutionalized into a law and through this, we need the buy-in and we can only convince them with the support of the LGUs, partners and the people.)

IMPLEMENTATION OF NCDDP AF PHASE 3

The implementation of 3^rd phase of National Community-Driven Development Program Additional Financing (NCDDP AF) wherein the projects will be purely LGU funded was also raised throughout the forum.

KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin noted that the Department is still finalizing the guidelines for the implementation of Phase 3 of NCDDP AF.

“What we want is to have a checklist kung saan tinitingnan kung ang prosesong dinadaan ng LGU sa pag-identify at pag-implement ng mga projects ay naga-undergo ng CDD process,” she said.

(What we want is to have a checklist to monitor the process used by LGU in identifying at implementing projects will really undergo the CDD process.)

Approximately 150 participants, including Municipal mayors, representatives of LGUs from Camarines provinces, KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) staff and Area Coordinating Teams (ACTs) attended the forum.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that helps communities in poor municipalities to identify challenges in poverty and implement developmental projects using the CDD approach.