BAGUIO CITY- Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region conveyed their support for the institutionalization of the Community-Driven Development (CDD) that promotes the involvement of communities in the local implementation of programs.
In an LGU Forum held on 24 November 2023, LGUs through their Local Chief Executives, Vice-Mayors, Sangguniang Bayan Members and Staff signed the manifestation of support in the passage of the CDD Institutionalization Bill pending before the 19th Congress. Officials supported the effectiveness of CDD as a development approach that empowers communities by giving community members control over the development process, including decision-making and resource management.
The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program of the government implemented by DSWD and empowers communities to achieve improved access to social services, and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation. The program uses the CDD approach, through KALAHI-CIDSS and CDD, community members are empowered to identify ad address their communities most pressing needs.
The program operates using the CDD approach, a key strategy to fulfill the mission of DSWD to develop, implement and coordinate social protection and poverty reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“As the KALAHI-CIDSS program seeks to institutionalize CDD strategy, I commit myself to become its dedicated advocate for its institutionalization. As a dedicated advocate of CDD, I will hereby manifest my support to the CDD Institutionalization Bill pending before the 19th Congress,” the manifestation reads.
The support for CDD was further marked with the beating of gongs and presentation of cultural dances with the Local Government Officials and Staff together with DSWD Field Office CAR Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla, and Atty. Cyphrine Y. Dalog representing Mt. Province Representative Maximo Y. Dalog Jr.
In his message, Dir. Quintilla recognized the support of Local Chief Executives, LGUs, community volunteers, Area/Municipal Coordinating Teams and Regional Program Management Office Staff. “As a growing family of CDD practitioners, huwag nating bitawan ang KALAHI-CIDSS. Huwag nating bitawan ang prinsipiyo ng KALAHI-CIDSS- Participation, Transparency, Accountability and Inclusivity. We are now engaging Students, Person with disability. Lahat ng problema ng bayan may sagot si KALAHI-CIDSS,” he added.
This year’s LGU Forum seeks to celebrate success through sharing of lessons learned and gains, assess the compliance of the LGUs, recognize the efforts of the LGU partners in program implementation, and generate commitment of the LGUs and other partners to support CDD Institutionalization and continuation of KALAHI-CIDSS through the “Panahon ng Pagkilos: Community-Driven Climate Action”.
Moreover, Lawyer Dalog provided updates on the status of the proposed Community Driven Development Approach Institutionalization Act.
Supported by 42 legislators in the House of Representatives who are principle and co-authors, the bill is now with the House Committee on Appropriations awaiting to be deliberated.
With the Bill, communities are placed at the center of all development plans, budget and strategies by mandating concerned agencies, LGUs, and other government agencies to implement their community-based programs, activities and projects with the community’s participation. “We pray and we hope for the best for the CDD Approach Bill,” she added. # DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, LAUREN A. ALIMONDO
