Kalahi projects, prime mover in peace building capability between gov't, rebels
The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS): Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay contributed much in the peace building capabilities between the government and the rebel groups specifically with the members of the New Peoples Army-Communist Party of the Philippines (NPA-CPP) in the entire country including Western Visayas.
Several rebel infested areas were neutralized because of the introduction of different projects such as roads, health stations, schools, day care centers, post harvest facilities and bridges and potable water systems in far-flung barangays in the country. People in these barangays have seen the face of the government since the introduction of the program. "They have not seen the face of the government for so long," said Director Camilo Gudmalin, national project manager.
Gudmalin said the project reduced the friction and armed hostilities between the government troops and the rebels. Those rebel infested and rebel infiltrated barangays were neutralized. This was contained in a project study made by one of the students at the National Defense College.
The conflict in the so-called Communist Afflicted Communities (CAC) begun when they could not see the face of the government and another group have the opportunity to establish their own government for the people. The absence of the legal government is replaced, said Gudmalin.
The result of the study holds true even in Western Visayas though there are some hindrances that the implementors underwent in the implementation of the projects. At first project implementors in Capiz, Tapaz, Calinog and Lambunao had difficulty in convincing the people regarding the project, said Gudmalin.
The KALAHI project began in 2003 with a US$100M assistance from World Bank for the 42 poorest provinces in the country covering a total of 183 municipalities and 4,227 barangays. In Western Visayas, the project covers Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental.
The KALAHI projects are implemented in 20 municipalities in the region covering 642 barangays. The recipient municipalities include Concepcion, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Calinog, Carles, Jamindan, Janiuay, Lambunao, Lemery, Maasin, San Dionisio, San Rafael and Bingawan, all in the province of Iloilo.
The towns of Dumarao, Maayon and Tapaz in the province of Capiz, also had their share from the KALAHI projects. While, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinobaan and Moises Padilla are the recipient towns in the province of Negros Occidental.
Gudmalin said the rebels even worked with the community to facilitate the project. In Tapaz alone, the project implementors have the difficulty because of the presence of the armed rebels. Aside from the rebels, there are also bandits that they have to deal with. However, they could not do otherwise, since the projects are intended for the people in the barangays. The development in one area can only start when there is peace.
The reluctance of the town and barangay officials to accept the KALAHI projects also hampers in the implementation. There are officials who are afraid of losing their powers toward their constituents. The government projects empowers the barangay folks, said Gudmalin.
The success of the project depends largely on the participation and cooperation of the people. If officials will think of the welfare of their people, the project will come a long way. There are leaders who became insecure, observes Gudmalin.