216 poverty reduction projects ready for Bicol region

LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be implementing 216 poverty reduction projects in the Bicol region under its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program. 

Jesseshan Manahan, DSWD 5 public information officer, said these projects will be implemented in the six provinces in the region with a total fund of P248 million coming from international partners for social development. 

“The Kalahi-CIDSS projects in Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon are funded by World Bank, while those in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur are financed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the United States of America,” Manahan said. 

The said fund will be released directly to the communities to be used for community projects usually chosen from the categories specified by the DSWD. 

“While barangays are allowed to decide which projects to implement, these usually fall under the following sub-categories: general public goods or access projects, community enterprise projects, and human resource development projects,” Manahan said. 

Public goods or access projects intend to deliver public services and/or address issues on access to basic services.

Community enterprise projects aim to increase the income of its intended beneficiaries while human resource development projects aim to increase local capacities and capabilities. 

These projects are expected to be completed and inaugurated by the end of 2012. 

Such projects under the Kalahi-CIDSS adopt the community-driven development (CDD) approach in helping the poorest municipalities in the country. 

Kalahi-CIDSS aims to improve local governance, reduce poverty, and empower communities. 

This is done by developing the people’s capacities to analyze their local situation, identify community needs, and implement small-scale community projects in partnership with their LGUs. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, Albay)