The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government of Rosario, Cavite recently led the groundbreaking for the first infrastructure project worth PhP2.5M in the municipality using the community-driven development approach (CDD). The CDD is a poverty alleviation strategy that puts power back in the hands of the people by giving them the opportunity to have active control in deciding which projects will be implemented in their communities.

The infrastructure project, which will benefit an estimated of 1,000 families and provide jobs for 166 laborers from the said municipality, involves the dredging and delisting of a 560-linear meter creek with the construction of a 1,250- linear meter canal. This will be implemented through the Japan Social Development Fund-Livelihood Opportunities for Vulnerable Communities (JSDF-LVUC) under the DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). JSDF provided the funding in partnership with the World Bank.

Director Edgar G. Pato, National Project Manager of Kalahi-CIDSS, who represented Secretary Soliman during the groundbreaking ceremony, enjoined the village to show full support for the program. “Sa inyo po ito ,” he said. “Kayo po ang nag-identify nito, at kayo rin po ang mag-aalaga nito ,” he added.

Rosario Mayor Nonong Ricafrente expressed appreciation for the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS in their community. “Salamat po sa Kalahi-CIDSS na tayo ang napili ,” he said.

He said that the municipality took steps to ensure the successful implementation of the project by coordinating with the barangay captain to clean up the garbage along the creek. He called on the community members to take care of this project, making sure that there will no longer be trash in the project site, even before completion of construction.

The DSWD Kalahi-CIDDS project will also capacitate residents of Barangay Ligtong III in Rosario, Cavite by providing them trainings in buri bag making, dress making, and electrical welding. Buri bag making training started on December 17, 2012, while the dress making and welding trainings are expected to start on January 7, 2103. A total of PhP1,013,925 will be allocated to finance these livelihood training programs, to be conducted by Zonta Club of Cavite and TESDA Cavite. ###