Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (November 8) highlighted the important role of local chief executives (LCEs) in enhancing the implementation of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

“Nagpatawag po kami ngayon ng mayors’ forum kasi gusto pa naming makinig ulit sa inyo. Ano pa ba yung gusto ninyong i-improve sa programa, ano pa yung pwedeng baguhin sa programa?” Sec. Gatchalian said during the National Consultative Meeting with LCEs at the SMX Convention Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The DSWD chief emphasized the important roles of the LGUs in improving access to basic services and enhancing the lives of the Filipino people, especially those in the under-served communities in the country.

“Kaya bilang dating mayor, patuloy po kaming makikipagdayalogo sa inyo sa pamamagitan nitong mga forum na ganito. Ang request po namin ay dumalo kayo, sabihin ninyo kung ano ang gusto at ayaw ninyo sa ating mga programa para maiayos po namin sa kagawaran ng DSWD,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD secretary also pointed out how the heads of the LGUs can assist the government in strengthening the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS and improving the sub-projects under the program.

“Alam ninyo, noong kinuha ako ng presidente na sumama sa kanyang gabinete, isa sa parati nyang sinabi na importante ang ating local government units. Si President Marcos ay galing din sa hanay natin, naging gobernador, at alam nya na ang laban, kahit na anong laban—-laban sa kahirapan, sa kagutuman, sa malnutrisyon, at sa pagdevelop ng ating lugar—-kayo ang nasa forefront. Kaya importante ang boses ng ating chief local executives na kasama ngayon,” Sec. Gatchalian explained.

Secretary Gatchalian also expressed his gratitude to the LGUs as being part of the success of the program.

“Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng implementers ng Kalahi-CIDSS na kasama natin dito dahil sa tagal ng tinakbo nitong programa, mas marami ang success stories at mas marami ang nagtagumpay,” the DSWD chief said.

The LCEs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are implementing the Kalahi-CIDSS National Community Driven Development Program-Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF) and the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP).

The National Consultative Meeting was aimed at providing a venue for an interactive engagement with the implementing LGUs to discuss the project’s milestones, encountered challenges, issues and concerns, and ways forward to further enhance the program.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the Philippine government being implemented by the DSWD.

Employing community-driven development (CDD) as a strategy, Kalahi-CIDSS trains and engages communities together with their local governments (barangay and municipal) to choose, design, and implement development projects to address their most pressing needs.#