ILOILO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Iloilo Provincial Government, formalizing the implementation of the P20.4 million projects funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian government.

DSWD Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre led the signing of the MOA with PA Raul Banas, Mayor Matt Palabrica (Bingawan), Mayor Reynor Gonzales (Lambunao), Mayor Mariano Malones Sr. (Maasin), Vice Mayor Rene Hortada (Calinog) and Vice Mayor Jovino Tugbang Jr. (Barotac Viejo) for the implementation of projects under the Kalahi-CIDSS.
The P20.4 million DFAT projects, formerly Australian Aid (AusAid) will cover the construction of 15 sub-projects to include day care centers and school buildings in the five municipalities.

The P20.4-million grant is part of the P33.1 million allocations for Western Visayas for nine municipalities. Iloilo is receiving the biggest share with Capiz receiving P11,050,00 and Negros Occidental with P1.6 million.

The towns of Maasin, Calinog and Lambunao are already DFAT covered areas in 2013 and are also identified as KALAHI CIDSS- National Community Driven-Development Program (KC-NCDDP) implementation. Bingawan and Barotac Viejo are new DFAT areas.

Aside from the DFAT funded projects, they also signed a MOA for the implementation of KALAHI CIDSS-National Community Driven-Development Program (NCDDP).

KC-NCDDP’s implementation is part of the government’s rehabilitation effort to disaster-declared municipalities./dswd6/Maricar M. Calubiran