MALUNGON, Sarangani (January 12, 2007) - Villagers have completed P51-M worth of projects through a sharing system where residents decide what projects they need in their respective communities.
The Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) has given the people of Malungon a new perspective about government projects after it poured in P28 million in grants to different barangays here.
The KALAHI-CIDSS program has built water systems, school buildings, road networks and other projects with a total fund counterpart of P23 million from the provincial government, the municipality of Malungon, barangay councils and the recipient communities.
"KALAHI-CIDSS is different. It has innovative ways in project identification and implementation," said Mayor Teody Padernilla during the Hand-Over Ceremonies of KALAHI-CIDDS projects Wednesday.
The hand-over rites also marked the completion of three KALAHI-CIDDS cycles.
KALAHI-CIDDS, the government's flagship socio-economic program for poverty eradication, has been recognized by the World Bank as one of the best ongoing poverty reduction initiatives in the world.
Before KALAHI-CIDDS projects are implemented, volunteers undergo training to do the job of budget officers, bookkeepers and engineers.
"We all have our own responsibilities in achieving our dreams for the community," said Governor Migs Dominguez. "These projects are not our projects. These are the people's projects."
Barangay captain Vicente Pallado of Malalag Cogon said his constituents do not need to fetch water in streams and wells anymore.
Pallado's barangay built a P1.5-million water system with top-stand faucets around the village.
"We have empowered the people through KALAHI-CIDDS. The people can act for the community if we stand united," Governor Dominguez said.
Barangay Banahaw Elementary School has a shortage of classrooms before KALAHI-CIDDS built a three-classroom building.
"We only have four classrooms before. Now we have seven. Enough for the grade levels and an office," said grade two teacher Lani Cabales.
The school building cost P1.1 million of which P469,500 came from KALAHI-CIDDS. The rest was the local counterpart contribution.
Municipal councilor Jessie dela Cruz said that KALAHI-CIDDS was able to convince the people that government programs are for real.
"KALAHI-CIDDS made the people realize their power. They can implement projects which they really need and safeguard it at the same time," Cruz said, citing his experience in barangay Ampon where participation by the people was "remarkable."
Andrew Parker, program manager of World Bank for KALAHI-CIDDS in the country, recently visited some project sites in Sarangani and was impressed by what he saw.
"We are very satisfied with the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDDS projects in Sarangani," said Parker.
He noted that KALAHI-CIDDS deters corruption since the people are directly involved in the projects. The municipal government has created a Municipal Coordinating Team to oversee the continuation of the KALAHI-CIDDS framework for local government projects after KALAHI-CIDDS formally ended in Malungon. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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