Nearly 14,800 volunteers complete 731 community projects in CV

CEBU CITY— More than 14,799 volunteers from the KALAHI-CIDSS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Regional Field Office VII completed 731 sub-projects in various communities and local government units (LGU) in 2020 benefitting 921,416 people and employed some 7,191 workers with more than P89.749M in total earnings for the communities in Central Visayas.

In a Community Volunteers Forum 2022 on November 29 at Golden Valley Hotel, more than 50 volunteers and representatives from the various LGUs in Central Visayas were present for this ceremonial payout for beneficiaries of the livelihood settlement grant and volunteers’ forum to showcase their experiences as program volunteers and to inspire others to be part of nation building at the community level on a project-based support ecosystem.

DSWD assistant secretary for the Visayas, Maria Evelyn Macapobre encouraged community volunteers to continue the work of partnership with KALAHI-CIDSS because they are now considered as partners of development at the community level.

Macapobre went on that the KALAHI-CIDSS is a noble engagement of government and the community to plan, work and complete projects that the community  needs, putting in sweat and commitment equity as government’s partners for local development.

The Volunteers’ Forum also highlighted the participants sharing of their experiences with the program that somehow transform their way of thinking of how development works.  They did creative interpretation and discussion with the other volunteers present at the forum.

According to a group of volunteers from Cebu, the KALAHI-CIDSS deepened their understanding of how effective and efficient the community-driven development (CDD) approach is in community engagement to local development.

DSWD-7 also introduced the CDD Patroller during last week’s Volunteers’ Forum.  The CDD Patroller is a way to strengthen the advocacy of the KALAHI-CIDSS and to increase awareness on the importance of the CDD approach in building better communities in the country.

Ceremonial payout for the Livelihood Settlement Grant program

On the same day, DSWD-7 also held a ceremonial payout for the beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P)-Livelihood Settlement Grant to 50 beneficiaries across the region amounting to P2.5M for this ceremonial payout.

According to Emma Patalinghog, OIC-Division Chief of Promotive Services Division of DSWD7 that in this ceremonial payout, DSWD-7 has granted a total of P31.0M to 646 families for this year.  These families had been relocated back to their respective communities in Central Visayas from various areas in the country under the Balik Probinsya program of the DSWD.

Macapobre, in her inspirational message told the beneficiaries and the volunteers that these grants and other livelihood programs of the agency is a testimony of the government’s concern and care of the poor.

“These funds come from the convergence of services, funds and other development programs for the families who want to come back to their respective places, homes and rebuild permanent families.” Macapobre called on all the beneficiaries to take care of the funds and used the money for what it is intended for under the Balik Probinsya program. (Photos: MBCNewman)