POTOTAN Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro expressed his full support in the next round of Kalahi-CIDSS implementation to address the unmet needs of the communities in his municipality.

Lazaro made his assurance during the recent Kalahi-CIDSS municipal orientation. Maximum health protocols were ensured during the program held at the town’s evacuation center.

The orientation served as a venue to re-introduced the Program to the people. Pototan was a former Kalahi-CIDSS covered municipality.

The mayor was grateful for the interests shown by the communities in the next round of Kalahi-CIDSS implementation this early. The 50 barangays of Pototan were all represented during the orientation.

The local government unit has provided counterpart support staff for the efficient and on-time implementation of all sub-projects which are yet to be identified by the communities.

The Municipal Inter-Agency Coordinating Team and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer are also in place for the implementation.

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

Meanwhile, Kalahi-CIDSS Community Development Officer 3 Reyky Pelonia said “ it is the community that decides on whatever problems, issues and

concerns may arise during the implementation.”

“Let the voices of the poor and vulnerable be heard. The Kalahi-CIDSS as a Community-Driven Development program aimed to empower communities, reduce poverty, and improved local governance,” he said.

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 Program likewise adheres to its key principles of participation, transparency and accountability, said Pelonia.