By Jeraldine Dalupines, CDO III

 

“Ang mapag-on kag matarung nga pag-implementar kang proyekto magatugro sang kalig-on kag kauswagan sang kumonidad (The strong and proper implementation of a project gives strength and leads to development of the community),” said Joseph Osorio, Chairperson of the Barangay Sub-project Management Committee of Barangay San Ramon Municipality of Anini-y after their five cycle implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS.

For him success didn’t just rest on the heroics of only in one person but on the joint effort of the community and the Barangay Local Government during the implementation of four various sub-projects: construction of daycare center, slope protection, improvement of farm to market road and construction 1 unit 2 classrooms elementary school under the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services.

In January 2013, Barangay San Ramon, Anini-y received priority during the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum- Participatory Resource Allocation. For the first time in its history, the barangay became the recipient of a community lead subproject.

Going to Barangay San Ramon, Anini-y isn’t easy. An upland barangay, approximately seven kilometers from the town, it is accessible only by motorcycle. But during rainy season people have to walk for almost 40 minutes.  Hence the distance of the sitios from the barangay proper and their mountainous location became challenges in the implementation of the subproject.

Lack of expertise by local leaders and lack of interest by community members also became obstacles. Mr. Osorio said people were hesitant to take part when it came to development programs and projects. They simply watch on the sideline while the Barangay Local Government Unit is trying to do its job.

Thus, the Barangay Local Government Unit and Community Volunteers came up with measures to negate low participation rate and inactive involvement of the community. Strategies were undertaken to inventory the households and identify potential confederate and oppositionist.

House to house awareness campaign was also conducted by the Barangay Local Government Unit and elected community volunteers. This resulted to a conversion of oppositionist to confederate by involving them in the process as Community Volunteers.

The awareness campaign made the people active in the process of governance. People learned to solve the problem together through the bayanihan system. They rendered free labor during the implementation. Private individuals provided snacks during the bayanihan activities and help in the hauling of materials for free.

Now not only do they enjoy the benefit from sub-projects but Barangay San Ramon, Anini-y, Antique also saw the value of community participation in local governance.  Barangay Local Government Unit adopted the institutionalization of Expanded Barangay Development Council. BSPMC chairperson and members of the community volunteers became part of local planning and budgeting.

The BSPMC chairperson and members of the community volunteers likewise became major proponent of additional Gender and Development fund. Additional Local Cash Contribution for Kalahi-CIDSS and integration of Enhance Barangay Action Plan Integration at Barangay Development Plan.

The community leads the implementation Sustainable Livelihood Program, continues involvement of the community in the implementation of Cycle 2 and Local Original Economic Development funded by the DTI.

Mr. Osorio describes the program as a hope, making their Barangay now as people centered in its existence and development. (Kalahi-CIDSS/DSWD)