THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Northern Mindanao received a number of commitments from non-government organizations (NGOs) and private institutions to partner in the implementation of a project during an advocacy forum facilitated by the agency on Thursday.
PARFUND Inc., SM Foundation Inc., Holcim Philippines Inc., Philippine Sinter and Del Monte Foundation Inc. gave their assurance that they shall support the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services by providing their resources.
Kalahi-Cidss, a community-driven development project that aims to strengthen community participation, improve local governance and alleviate poverty, is currently being implemented in the municipalities of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental. It is also being prepared by the DSWD in its scaling up scheme.
The Philippine Information Agency in Northern Mindanao headed by Ms. Rutchie Aguhob and other media outlets were also tapped by the DSWD to help in ensuring transparency in the implementation of the project, especially in its financial and procurement aspects.
Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, DSWD regional director, said the project, which "ultimately conducts prioritization of subprojects," has a scheme of generating resources from NGOs and the private sector to augment those proposals by the communities which were not prioritized by the project.
"Because not all barangays will be covered by Kalahi-Cidss, some communities, which were not prioritized, may need other resources to have their subproject proposals realized considering that these proposals also show their dire need for local development," Solamillo said.
She added that the advocacy forum serves as a venue where the NGOs and the private sector can have meaningful projects through the implementation of Kalahi-Cidss.
Aldersey Mumar-dela Cruz, assistant regional director and regional project manager of Kalahi-Cidss, said this is just the first step of the DSWD in Northern Mindanao in strengthening its convergence with other groups.
"The regional office will continue to scout for more organizations and groups which may also have the same cause as that of DSWD's, and that is to help fight poverty that is plaguing in the rural communities," dela Cruz said. (PR)