SAN DIONISIO Mayor Darwin Bajada emphasized the importance of Kalahi-CIDSS implementation at this time of pandemic when the local government needs substantial resources to finance its poverty alleviation projects.

Bajada issued his statement in the recent Municipal Orientation Program. While he acknowledged the Program’s importance, he also assured his full support in implementation.

He said Kalahi-CIDSS has been a great help in the San Dionisio in addressing the unmet needs of the barangays. He is pleased that Kalahi-CIDSS continues to serve the different municipalities like San Dionisio.

Recently, San Dionisio is one of the 10 municipalities in Western Visayas that availed of the Cash for Work project of Kalahi-CIDSS.

The Program provided a P500,000 grant while the local government unit and barangay local government units provided a counterpart of P43,000.

The cash-for-work project benefitted 116 individuals from barangays Sua, Tiabas, Santol, Pasi, and Poblacion. Poblacion. The cash for work p

roject focused on the declogging of canals, coastal clean-up, clearing of vegetation, and mangrove planting in coastal barangays.

In the same municipal orientation, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Mayor Bajada and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management chairperson Reagan Belita.

Under the Disaster Response Operation Modality, all proposed sub-projects shall be approved by the city or municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils.

Kalahi-CIDSS Community Development Officer 4 Elizabeth Ferraris witnessed the signing.

Commitment setting and pledge of commitment were also made during the municipal orientation to concretize the Kalahi-CIDSS implementation.

The mayor also hinted the features of Kalahi-CIDSS make it different from other poverty alleviation projects implemented by the government in the countryside. “The Program is good because of its transparency, accountability, and empowerment measures.”

Kalahi-CIDSS is using a Community-Driven Development approach in implementing its project in rural areas. It is a strategy where local communities take control of the planning, implementation, and resource investments for their local development.

CDD ensures that programs integrate the principles of local empowerment, participatory governance, demand-responsiveness, administrative autonomy, greater downward accountability, and enhanced local capacity.

The mayor likewise recognized the importance of volunteerism in implementing Kalahi-CIDSS. It encourages the participation of community volunteers. Everyone in the community can join can in the pool of community volunteers and served their respective communities.# ( With reports from CEF Siegfred Azuelo)

Photo: MOA SIGNING. (1st Row L-R) MDRRMC Chair Reagan Belita, KC-Community Development Officer 4 Elizabeth Ferraris, Mayor Darwin Bajada. (2nd Row L-R) Sangguniang Bayan Member Rufino Alkonga and Vice Mayor Erma Perez