BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera Administrative Region held a forum centered on the KALAHI-CIDDS, the flagship program of the DSWD, on Wednesday, October 16.
The forum ran for two days, from October 15 to 16. The first day consisted of the opening program, the KALAHI-CIDDS NCDDP Accomplishment and Updates, Project Closure, Timelines, and Ways Forward, and the sharing of updates on the current projects of LGUs. On the second day, the participants conducted a sharing of lessons learned, challenges, and good practices.
For the first part, they talked about the experiences and challenges met for the institutionalization of Community-Driven Development (CDD).
Mr. Jeffrey Estepa, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of Conner, Apayao, highlighted that they always talk to the community, noting that the CDD was a “participatory approach.” Furthermore, he explained that maintaining interaction and building connections with the people through the project makes the CDD work.
Hon. Viola Okko, Sangguniang Bayan for Socials of Bontoc, Mountain Province, noted that “the traditional way of leaders insisting on their priority destroyed the spirit [of consulting with the different barangay officials to come up with their needs and solutions]. As a solution, they devised prioritization, and the consultations with the barangays were revived. Moreover, Okko noted that the KALAHI-CIDDS is vital to their community as it highlights the participation of the people.
Mr. Macfarlyne Bumosao, Administrative Officer IV and Management and Audit Analyst of Lubuagan, Kalinga, wrapped up the segment by highlighting that their coordination in the LGU made the implementation of the CDD successful.
The second segment delved into the Sustainability Evaluation Tool (SET), which plays a crucial role in assessing and ensuring the long-term impact of projects.
Ms. Glenda Lomino, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Tadian, Mountain Province, emphasized that it is a must that all LGUs have a project monitoring team. Lomino highlighted that monitoring is essential because it allows them to see gaps as early as possible.
Mr. Antonio Kito, Municipal Engineer of Kibungan, Benguet, underscored that the SET “really determines how you monitor the project and performance that you conducted.”
Mr. Kolbel Acqiapat, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of Kibungan, Benguet, discussed that they assess the problems of the community and that the tool is crucial to guard the project implementation and to avoid the compromise of the quality of the projects.
Ms. Lica Antonette Wangdali of Bauko, Mountain Province shared that the challenge they met was the documentation, emphasizing that even if they do the project step-by-step, it still needs to be documented. Furthermore, she noted that conducting SET with one team for everything is not enough and that they seek more help.
The third discussion hosted a sharing of KALAHI-CIDDS implementation.
Mr. Ian Pancho, Municipal Engineer/MCT-TF of Conner, Apayao, expressed that their project implementation journey significantly impacted Conner, Apayao. Pancho highlighted projects such as drainage canals, irrigation systems, solar power supplies, daycare centers, footbridges, and school units, which have all contributed to the development of Conner and its residents over the years.
Hon. Jorico Bayaua, Municipal Mayor of Conner, Apayao, extended his gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for their support, noting that they provided 18 million pesos to the municipality. In return, Conner has committed to contributing 6 million pesos as part of their involvement in the program. Moreover, Bayaua expressed that “the KALAHI CDDS implementation involvement is not only a success, but it provided a significant impact in the lives, because of the excessive support, participation, cooperation and collaboration of all the LGU officials including the barangay official, community volunteers, and city stakeholder.” The activities in Conner, Apayao, have effectively initiated and fostered a culture of volunteerism in the municipality. “Kayat ko iti 2025, we adapt daytoy KALAHI CDDS,” Bayaua concluded.
In the last presentation, which tackled the journey for enhancement of the Barangay Development Plan, Aileen Alya-On, the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of Lubuagan, Kalinga, shared Lubuagan’s situation. Lubuagan, with a population of fewer than 10,000 residents, is classified as a fourth-class municipality in the province of Kalinga. Alya-On explained that their municipality consists of only nine barangays. She stated then, “Pinaghahatian ng mga barangay ‘yung BDP, and we have the edge for that because we are only nine barangays,” with the plan primarily focusing on agriculture.
The Barangay Development Plan is a framework that involves project planning to ensure progress toward achieving each barangay’s developmental goals and objectives. After a long-delayed decision, the municipality of Lubuagan finally pushed forward with their BDP, even during the election of barangay officials, to secure future development projects. Alya-On emphasized, “‘Yung walang BDP hindi bibigyan ng project. Kapag may BDP ka ‘yun ‘yung basis ng funding agency na magbigay ng pondo.”
As the talks concluded, various LGUS were awarded and recognized for their contribution and support to the successful implementation of the KALAHI-CIDDS, their adaptation of the CDD Elements in the Local Planning Process through the Issuance of Municipal Ordinance, and their implementation with multiple and various modalities. By Heleina Taeza and Rachelle Quilling