KALAHI-CIDSS Project reaches goal
In its six-year project implementation, KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) Project in Western Visayas has achieved its objectives by empowering communities and enhancing the response of local government units. A decrease in the poverty level incidence in Iloilo is noticed.
Community Process Specialist (CPS) Leo Quintilla said significant changes and important lessons emerged in the field of local governance, level of community participation in development initiatives and poverty situation in Iloilo.
“The project has served as instrument for the transformation in the lives of the project beneficiaries, families and the community at large.” In the conduct of Community-Based Evaluation (CBE), community volunteers had boosted their moral and self-confidence after efforts is recognized in the community, “stressed Quintilla.
The outcome of the project implementation implies that there is a need to scale-up poverty reduction strategies in addressing the poverty problems particularly in far-flung barangays. There is a need to let the community feel the presence of the government through KALAHI-CIDSS.
KALAHI-CIDSS is a project of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and funded by the World Bank.
The Project started in 2003 using Community Driven Development (CDD) approach ended in 2009. The process has empowered the communities through their enhanced participation in reducing poverty incidence. “It allowed the villagers to initiate change and difference in their lives as well as to their community,” said Quintilla.
In Western Visayas, KALAHI-CIDSS was implemented in the 642 barangays in the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental. “This makes Western Visayas a “super region” when it comes to project implementation. The KALAHI grant released to Region VI amounted to P684.5 million.
The provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental are among the 42 identified poorest provinces in the country based on the National Statistical Coordination Board’s survey in 2003. The municipalities under the three identified provinces were ranked through a study by Dr. Arsenio Balisacan of the University of the Philippines.
Three broad indicators were used in ranking the different towns. The three indicators are quality of human capital, housing and amenities and access to centers and trade.
In 2003, the poverty level incidence in Iloilo hit the record of 31.1%. It dropped to 24.1% in 2006 based on the figures released by the National Statistics and Coordination Board (NSCB). It is interesting to note that poverty incidence in Iloilo has improved.
Quintilla added that 881 sub-projects were completed from Phase 1 to Makamasang Tugon (MT). It has benefited 150,000 direct beneficiaries. However, he stressed that KALAHI-CIDSS is not just giving sub-projects to the recipient barangays. It is the community empowerment and the improved response of local government units.
Sub-project refers to different infrastructure projects such as road, health station, community production economic service facility, school, day care centers, water system, environmental protection structure and preservation, foot/small bridges, multi-use building, electrification, small scale irrigation and access trail. “Project” refers to KALAHI-CIDSS itself.
Quintilla also attributed the realization of the Project’s objectives in the positive response of the local government units. “The local government units’ participation in the planning process and sub-project implementation contributed much in reaching the Project’s goals.
“The vast experience of local government units in providing technical assistance and monitoring of sub-projects provided them a venue to practice participation, transparency and accountability.” They became more visible in the barangays and had initiated series of consultation and dialogue with communities.” (DSWD 6/ MMC)
