By Carr Brian Griño, AREA COORDINATOR

Brgy. Busog, Valderrama, Antique is an Indigenous Peoples’ community under Iraynon Bukidnon. The community is accessible by trekking Cangaranan River, a river from Calinog, Iloilo which flows towards Southern Antique.

Though it has become Christianized, a culture of IP tradition and beliefs continues to be observed. Before the entry of Kalahi-CIDSS Project, the Busog community is classified as among the disadvantaged Barangay of Valderrama. This is principally due to its isolated location very far from the town proper. The community can be reached only after 6 hours of walk from town proper.

But, thanks to Kalahi-CIDSS, things have changed. Shierly Galicia, shares how their community had changed from being undeveloped to a productive village these days.

“We’ve been deprived of basic needs in life for years because of our remote distance from Valderrama Proper. Services and opportunities from government and private sectors are rarely felt due to our remote location” says Galicia, a Kalahi-CIDSS community volunteer.

“We have no say before in our Barangay Assemblies, the decision making is monopolized by community officials” she recalled. However, Galicia says, little by little transformation arrived.

She recalls the time when Kalahi-CIDSS held a participatory situational analysis or community research where they were given a voice in identifying the priority problem in their community.

“We were given a voice. I am important in the community that we must participate in all affairs of our community. We are now practicing Participatory decision making, Transparency, and Accountability, what we learned in Kalahi-CIDSS,” Galicia says.

Kalahi-CIDSS, a community-driven development project recognized by World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Millennium Challenge Corp. of the US spent at least P2.4 million for the improvement of 820 lineal-meter pathway and 100 lineal-meter Hanging Foot Bridge in Busog village that has long been yearning for development.

“Before, the future was just a dream. Now our road access is fixed and we are now spared from crossing the deadly Cangaranan River. Despite our challenges, 6 hours of manual hauling of materials such as cement, bridge steel decks, railings and others we are thankful Kalahi-CIDSS included the municipality in their area of coverage. Farmers now can easily transport their products to the market, improved our everyday access that could increase community resiliency during disasters,” Galicia says.

She added that the community worked as one to haul construction materials from the town proper. The scheme was done through manual hauling where residents trek the river and walk 5 to 6 hours in order to bring the materials to the community. The challenge of hauling is very difficult. One must carry a bag of cement, steel bars, lumber etc. under the scorching heat of the sun and river terrain. “The residents’ effort is an indication that “Bayanihan” is still alive in our Barangay because it shows resiliency and unity among our people,” Galicia says.

She thanked the government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, for undertaking the project that responds to the needs of the people, adding its true there is still chance and hope for change.

“We are blessed that the project has been completed. I learned about the principles of transparency on financial matters and good governance. Leadership by a good example is all we want now,” she says.

For then-Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero, it’s important that change must come from the community people.

“Who else us but our own people. They are now more aware of the problems in the community and they know how to resolve it,” says Roquero.

Since the community had these two structures, it is now cheaper to haul agricultural products and farmers are now enjoying some income from their produce. At the same time, government services have gained entry to the community. The DENR now covers 5 hectares of ancestral domain implementing National Greening Program thus providing additional income to populace. Through DA, agricultural inputs are delivered to farmers faster, in time for the planting season, projecting an increased in yields and better quality crops.

More land is being tilled and more grain and other crops are being produced. Kalahi-CIDSS opened a window of opportunity to communities that have a longing desire for development and progress.

“We thank Kalahi-CIDSS for making us more active citizens, acknowledging our rights as Iraynon Bukidnon, and improving our community,” said Galicia.# (Kalahi-CIDSS/DSWD)