For Jun Lemmer F. Warden, finding his place in community development began with finding the confidence to let his voice be heard.
A member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Warden describes himself as someone who was once shy and hesitant to participate in barangay activities. He often preferred to stay at home rather than join community meetings and gatherings, uncertain if he would be noticed or accepted. Over time, however, he realized that his voice mattered and that his identity was not a limitation, but a strength that could help him contribute to the community around him.
“Bilang isang LGBTQIA+, nakita ko na ang aking pagkakakilanlan ay hindi hadlang kundi isang lakas na maaari kong gamitin upang makatulong sa iba.” (“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I realized that my identity is not a barrier but a strength that I can use to help others,”) he shared.
Long before becoming a community facilitator, Warden was already learning how to step out of his comfort zone. During his college years, he initially joined pageants, an experience that helped him gain confidence and express himself more freely. As he grew, he realized that he wanted to contribute in other ways as well. He became increasingly active in school, serving as a student representative from his first to third year in college and representing his department in journalism, impromptu speaking competitions, quiz bees, and volleyball tournaments. Through these experiences, he developed leadership skills, discipline, and a deeper sense of responsibility to the people around him.
Like many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Warden also encountered personal challenges related to acceptance and belonging. Some experiences pushed him to reflect on his identity and resilience, but rather than allowing them to define him, he used them as opportunities to grow. These experiences strengthened his empathy and helped him better understand the importance of creating spaces where people feel respected, heard, and valued.
His journey with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program began as a Municipal Database Encoder in the Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province. In this role, he managed beneficiary information, project reports, and financial records that supported the implementation and monitoring of community projects.
Working closely with program data gave him a deeper appreciation of how KALAHI-CIDSS empowers communities to identify and address their own development needs. Wanting to contribute more directly to the program’s goals, he applied for the Community Empowerment Facilitator (CEF) position. After completing training in facilitation and community organizing, he was assigned to the municipality of Paracelis, where he initially handled one barangay before taking on four barangays the following year.
As a CEF, Warden’s role is to encourage residents to actively participate in every stage of the community-driven development process. He facilitates meetings, helps communities develop plans, and supports residents as they identify priorities and implement projects. Through this work, he has witnessed how meaningful change happens when people are empowered to make decisions and work together toward common goals.
The experience has also shaped him personally. Every barangay he has visited has given him a new perspective on the realities faced by communities and the determination of residents to improve their lives. He learned that development is most effective when people are not merely beneficiaries but active partners in planning and implementation.
Through KALAHI-CIDSS, Warden has seen how inclusive participation can strengthen communities. He believes that programs become more responsive and effective when people from different sectors are represented in discussions and decision-making processes. For him, this includes women, Indigenous Peoples, farmers, youth, solo parents, senior citizens, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community whose perspectives help ensure that no sector is overlooked.
His belief in inclusion was reinforced by the communities he served. Throughout his years of fieldwork, he found that many residents valued commitment and capability over labels. He recalls working with barangays where LGBTQIA+ individuals were trusted with leadership roles and elected to serve because of their competence and dedication. These experiences affirmed his belief that participation and service can help break stereotypes and encourage greater understanding.
One of the moments he treasures most happened during the turnover and inauguration of a completed community project. In front of barangay leaders and residents, he was recognized for the dedication and support he had shown throughout the implementation process. For Warden, the recognition was more than a professional achievement. It was a reminder that he was accepted and valued for his contributions to the community.
Today, he continues to encourage others, especially fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to become active participants in community development. He believes that involvement creates opportunities not only to contribute but also to inspire others who may still be hesitant to step forward and share their talents.
“Sa pagdiriwang ng Pride Month, magsilbing paalala ito na ang pagkakapantay-pantay, pagtanggap, at pakikilahok ay hindi lamang para sa LGBTQIA+ community kundi para sa lahat. Sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang Pride, hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng mga watawat at parada, kundi sa pamamagitan ng pagkilos para sa isang mas inklusibo at makatarungang lipunan.” (“As we celebrate Pride Month, let it remind us that equality, acceptance, and participation are not only for the LGBTQIA+ community but for everyone. Let us celebrate Pride not only through flags and parades, but through actions that build a more inclusive and just society,”) he said.
As he continues working alongside communities in Mountain Province as a CEF in Sagada, Warden hopes his story will encourage others to recognize that meaningful change begins when people choose to participate, embrace their strengths, and use their voices to help build communities where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong. #DSWD-CAR, KALAHI-CIDSS RPMO, Yvonne Gracious T. Elegado, Project Development Officer III
