Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen of DSWD Northern Mindanao reports during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on June 11 that the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS program has improved the lives of over 734,000 families innorthern Mindanao. (Photo: SAYU/PIA-10)
MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has improved the lives of over 734,000 households in Northern Mindanao through its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program, as highlighted during the third episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas recently.
DSWD Regional Director Ramel Jamen reported that from 2023 to 2024, the KALAHI-CIDSS program implemented 1,379 community sub-projects aimed at addressing local needs and priorities, focused on infrastructure development, livelihood enhancement, education, health, and disaster risk reduction.
“These projects have collectively benefited 734,176 households, reflecting the program’s extensive reach and effectiveness in enhancing the quality of life in rural and marginalized areas. The DSWD is committed to poverty alleviation and has targeted the root causes by enabling communities to identify and address their specific needs,” Jamen said.
The KALAHI-CIDSS program has facilitated the construction of essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water supply systems, significantly improving accessibility and living conditions.
In addition to infrastructure, the program has enhanced livelihoods by establishing communal farms and small-scale enterprises, providing families with sustainable income sources, and boosting economic resilience.
Education and health initiatives have ensured communities receive the necessary knowledge and resources to thrive.
Furthermore, disaster risk reduction projects have equipped communities with tools and knowledge to better prepare for and respond to natural calamities, thereby reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience.
Jamen emphasized that each project is tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of the community, ensuring that interventions are both relevant and sustainable.
“The program’s success in 2023-2024 reaffirms the importance of empowering communities to be active participants in their development journey. By improving infrastructure, boosting local economies, and enhancing social services, the KALAHI-CIDSS program contributes to overall community resilience and development,” he said.
Vilma Bayo, a KALAHI-CIDSS beneficiary in Bukidnon, refuted claims that it fosters dependency on the government’s aid. Despite some criticism, she appreciated the program’s impact on poor people’s lives.
“The KALAHI-CIDSS program doesn’t just give us temporary relief. It teaches valuable skills and provides the necessary infrastructure to improve our daily lives permanently. It’s about teaching us to fish, not just giving us fish. This sentiment reflects our gratitude for the program’s focus on long-term development and self-sufficiency,” Bayo said.
Through the KALAHI-CIDSS program, Jamen said the government continues its commitment to improving the lives of the marginalized in Northern Mindanao, fostering sustainable development, and empowering communities to build a better future. (BGE/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
