The Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate institutionalized the processes and activities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services’ (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS’) Community-Driven Development strategy last July 29, 2019.

Based on the ordinance, the MLGU shall adopt the criteria setting process of the program in identifying the projects for funding; create operation and maintenance (O&M) program for the sustainability of the projects; adopt the 80% attendance rate during the barangay assembly and 30% total workforce allocated for women in paid labor for the construction of projects.

The Criteria Setting of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS is a venue for localized decisions where the communities involved take control of decisions in prioritizing projects based on criteria, they prepared themselves. Another aspect of the program is the O&M wherein the communities should manage, operate, maintain and sustain the project.

DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS also requires 80% attendance in barangay assemblies and 30% workforce for women in paid labor to ensure that all sectors are part of planning, decision making and implementation for development projects.

According to Municipal Councilor Abel Prudenciado, author of the ordinance, the LGU decided to institutionalize CDD because of its benefits and effectiveness in the communities.

“Nakapagbigay ito ng magandang programa sa ating komunidad at isa dito yung pagbibigay karapatan o kapangyarihan sa mga simpleng mamamayan makilahok sa pagpaplano at pagdedesisyon upang maisakatuparan ang kanilang proyektong idinulog (It provided an excellent program to the communities such as giving rights or power to ordinary citizens in planning, decision-making to achieve their needed projects),” he said.

CDD is a globally recognized strategy in which residents were the ones who identify their specific needs in the community, decide a possible intervention and implement the applicable solution.

The municipality engaged in the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS implementation in 2014. With a grant allocation of Php45,087,110.88, there are 33 funded sub-projects in which 31 are completed. The program also trained 519 community volunteers from the different barangays that implemented the community projects.

Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Leonila Lepasana also explained that the CDD processes will be integrated and included in the annual investment plan (AIP) and budget to implement the projects at the barangay level.

“Ito ay i-implement sa AIP at pwede na siyang lagyan ng budget upang mai-guide ang mga barangay captain (This will be implemented in the AIP with corresponding budget to guide the barangay captains),” Lepasana said.

Lepasana encouraged other LGUs to adopt the CDD processes for the benefit of the communities.

“Sana mai-institutionalize din ito sa ibang LGUs kasi hindi naman sa atin ito o sa personal na pangangailangan kundi sa community (We hope this will be also institutionalized to other LGUs because this is not for personal gains but for the community),” she exclaimed.

In line with this, the municipalities of Pio V. Corpuz, Cawayan and Dimasalang also approved resolutions supporting the institutionalization of CDD. /ramsertan/