PASAY CITY (PIA) — Mayor German Rodegerio of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro has called on the local government units (LGUs) in the MIMAROPA region to adopt the community-driven development (CDD) approach for identifying and implementing priority community projects.
Rodegerio, who was recently recognized for his outstanding implementation of CDD in his town, emphasized that this approach significantly aids local governments in determining which projects to prioritize.
“The KALAHI-CIDSS framework is excellent because it allows us to delegate project selection to the community, ensuring transparency and preventing accusations of corruption. The community itself monitors the projects,” he explained.
The CDD approach, strongly promoted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), involves community members actively participating in decision-making processes about development projects, ensuring that the initiatives align with the actual needs of the community.
Rodegerio shared that even though the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) has long been completed, he ensured that the skills and experiences gained from the program were not wasted in his municipality.
He retained the employees who had worked on the KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP projects to continue implementing the program’s principles in the town. He institutionalized the approach so that it would continue regardless of who holds office, ensuring continuity of the development efforts.
“The local government invested in KALAHI-CIDSS, committing 20% of our development fund to its implementation, amounting to more than P4 million,” Rodegerio said.
Using this approach, the municipality of Gloria has successfully constructed covered courts in 27 barangays, established Barangay Markets and Health Centers, and procured rescue vehicles for the communities.
Despite the challenges, Rodegerio remains hopeful that all towns in MIMAROPA will adopt the CDD approach for their project implementations.
“What I want and pray for is that all the Mayors in MIMAROPA use the CDD approach because I am certain that it will ease the burden of prioritizing projects as the community will directly inform you of their needs,” Rodegerio stressed. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
