The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay–Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD) modality, has successfully turned over four completed community sub-projects to the volunteers and local government units of Barangays Sacpil, Mawegui, Calafug, and Nabuangan in Conner, Apayao.
The completed sub-projects include a farm-to-market road in Barangay Sacpil costing ₱3,087,297.80 that benefits 318 households; a road concreting project in Barangay Mawegui costing ₱1,085,397.25 that benefits 232 households; a farm-to-market road in Barangay Calafug costing ₱1,686,594.61 that benefits 248 households; and a concrete footpath connecting Sitio Nanawatan to Sitio Bubog in Barangay Nabuangan costing ₱1,675,665.27 and benefits 134 households.
These infrastructures, which were proposed and prioritized by the community during their Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA), aim to make travel safer and easier for residents, improve access to education and healthcare services, and help farmers transport their products more efficiently to nearby markets. The PSA is a key activity under the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS process that allows communities to assess their local needs, identify pressing issues, and collectively plan solutions, ensuring that every project responds to real community priorities.
Women also played vital roles throughout the project implementation. They mobilized community members to join assemblies and meetings, helped monitor construction quality, and ensured compliance with technical standards. Some women worked as laborers, assisting in concrete mixing, shoveling, and maintaining cleanliness at the project sites. Their active participation demonstrates the program’s commitment to gender equality and to recognizing women as partners in development.
“Kas maysa a babae, naragsakak ta nakatulongak iti daytoy nga proyekto para iti umili. Iti KALAHI, naadal mi ti panagtitinulong ken panagkaykaysa. Nakitak met a nalinis ken naurnos ti proseso. Dakkel a tulong daytoy a kalsada kadagiti mannalon ta nalakaen ti panagbiyahe dagiti produkto da,” (“As a woman, I’m happy that I was able to help in this project for our community. Through KALAHI, we learned teamwork and cooperation. I also saw that the process was orderly and transparent. This road is a big help to our farmers because it makes it easier to transport their products,”) Barangay Calafug Kagawad and community volunteer Martina Batugon said.
“Iti KALAHI, adu ti sakripisyo ken rigat, ngem napintas ti resulta gapu iti panagtitinulong. Nakitak ti usto nga proseso ken adu ti baro nga naadal ko. Agyamanak ken ni Apo ta naisakatuparan daytoy nga proyekto a makatulong unay kadagiti mannalon, nangnangruna kadagiti agmula iti saba ken kape,” (“In KALAHI, there were sacrifices and challenges, but the results are rewarding because of teamwork. I saw the proper process and learned many new things. I thank God that this project was completed because it truly helps our farmers, especially those growing bananas and coffee,”) Bids and Awards Committee Chairperson Roderick C. Tumbali of Barangay Sacpil said.
Through these community-led efforts, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS continues to promote transparency, cooperation, and local empowerment. The success of these four projects in Conner, Apayao demonstrates how communities can achieve lasting development and a better quality of life through unity and participation. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Yvonne Gracious T. Elegado, Social Marketing Officer III
