KAPANGAN, Benguet – In the interest of enhancing the implementation of DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Program in indigenous communities, representatives from the World Bank, National and Regional Program Management Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Atty. Bernadette Mapue Joaquin of the Office of the DSWD Secretary conducted recently a focus group discussion among the program community volunteers, barangay officials of barangay Cuba, the Municipal Inter-agency Committee Team of Kapangan, and representatives of the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples..
Among the highlights of the discussion is the incorporation of indigenous practices, such as the “alluyon” or bayanihan, in the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS Program and other government projects.
Ditte Marie Fallesan, Senior Social Development Specialist of World Bank based in the Philippines, commended the dedication of the community volunteers for their willingness to perform their tasks despite having full-time work amongst their normal day to day activities.
Mayor Manny E. Fermin warmly welcomed the participants and also discussed the positive impacts of the program in the municipality.
Earlier, the participants paid a courtesy call on Cordillera DSWD Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla where they discussed how the community-driven development (CDD) strategy became an instrument to promote disaster resilience in community projects, such as those implemented under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Program.
The World Bank is one of the major funding agencies of the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Program. Through the CDD approach, the program aims to empower communities to be more participative in the implementation of government projects in their locality.
