KALAHI-CIDSS awards projects to LGUs in Cebu, Bohol

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY –The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over six community sub-projects worth P9.5 million to the municipality of Ginatilan, Cebu and 43 units of handwashing facilities to the local government of Sevilla in Bohol this year.

DSWD-7 regional information officer Leah Quintana said these projects intend to provide support to poor municipalities affected by the pandemic and address health and sanitation issues in both towns. 

Ginatilan LGU received communication devices, medical tools, equipment, isolation facility with amenities, and rehabilitation of water systems for Barangays Calambawan, Cagsing, Palanas, Poblacion, Looc, and San Roque.

The town fully supported the KALAHI-CIDSS since November 2021, giving their cash and in-kind contributions and constant monitoring of the projects while the program provided project funds and trained the community volunteers in operational management.

“Sub-projects were implemented smoothly and properly since some of our volunteers already had experience with the program’s previous implementation,” Area Coordinator Michael Alelen said,

Alelen said the KALAHI-CIDSS Additional Financing implementation produced 334 volunteers with 126 women, and 10 of them now hold leadership posts while projects are now being used by the communities in Ginatilan.

Meanwhile, Sevilla town in Bohol received the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Safety Seal Certification” because of the availability of handwashing stations in all 13 barangays, among other measures contributed to Sevilla LGU.

These sanitation projects helped Sevilla manage the local transmission of COVID-19 cases while helping communities implement their priority needs which earned the LGU the seal.

The certification program measures the compliance of an establishment, organization, and other units to minimum public health standards.

KALAHI-CIDSS also purchased medical equipment, sanitary products, and disinfectants to supplement the LGU’s and partner health agencies’ health standards. Through these sub-projects, DSWD ensures that local government units maintain safe public spaces, which are critical to the reopening of local economies.

Angelita Calamba, BDC Technical Working Group Head, thanked the DSWD-7/KALAHI-CIDSS for providing them with the handwashing facilities. “We took advantage of this to stop the spread of COVID-19 cases. It also helped evacuees in our barangay after we were affected by Typhoon Odette,” she said.

The program of KALAHI-CIDSS continues to invest in projects that will strengthen the efforts of partner areas in their fight against health emergencies, Quintana stated.