KALAHI-CIDSS program presented to city
Funds amounting to P2M for poverty alleviation in the form of sustainable livelihood or Covid-19 projects may be granted to the city through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) after documentary obligations and prioritization has been done. Mayor Benjamin Magalong requested City Administrator Engr. Bonifacio De la Pena and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Betty Fangasan to arrange the terms for the approval of said grant. Projects from community groups and cooperatives interacting with each other, and needing economic assistance may be considered, it was known.
According to Fangasan, there are ten barangays identified earlier who may be eligible for the grant, though others may be considered as to the terms of the program.
The KALAHI-CIDSS program was presented to the mayor, city officials including Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, City councilors and department heads during the Executive Legislative meeting at the multi-purpose hall after the regular flag raising ceremonies, Monday, Sept. 6.
As an overview, KALAHI CIDSS of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO) deals with the comprehensive and integrated delivery of social services, and since 2003 through a community-driven approach treats indigents and institutions as assets and partners in the development process. KALAHI has since contributed to poverty alleviation, community empowerment, sustainable development and participatory local governance across the country.
The control on decisions and resources through KALAHI programs is also granted to community groups, to strengthen accountability and improve community groups with the inclusion of peopleβs organizations, civil societies, and the local government unity involved.
Accordingly, broad community participation and inclusion of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups, sectors and households in the community is needed in all the steps of the program; planning, decision-making, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, up to the completion with special concern on transparency.
Feedback mechanisms and financial performance monitoring which addresses problems on time and in the most efficient manner thus is achieved.
KALAHI was first implemented in Hingyon, Ifugao in 2003 with funding from the World bank. It has grown through the years with projects in 2021 with additional World bank financing up to 2023.
Baguio KALAHI projects presented which may be funded include sustainable livelihood programs, projects for economic recovery, or trainings for livelihood or for barangay Covid-19 response. Other programs to be considered may be water system, refurbishing of buildings for temporary isolation, procurement of medical equipment and tools, temporary facilities, rental of vehicles for monitoring; all for Covid-19 related cases. Small projects such as roads, water lines, canals all within the barangay may also be considered.
Social preparation, orientation on the program, rapid assessment, project development, and fund release, implementation and mobilization, recommendations may also be done for the priority project.
After a project, a sustainability planning workshop is done, with evaluation six months after; to ensure that the project is functional as to purpose.
All concerned offices were requested to work with City administrator dela Penas and CSWDO head Fangasan, as documents and processes are to be completed for submission on Sept. 15. β Julie G. Fianza, 16.Sept.2021
