The Regional Development Council - I (RDC-I) approved and endorsed the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) to NEDA as the successor to DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program during its First Quarter Full Council Meeting in Batac City, Ilocos Norte on March 26, 2025.
The target of the project is municipalities with high poverty rates, aiming to address economic and environmental risks such as drought, extreme heat, floods, and landslides. It will also prioritize child health, nutrition, and support for Indigenous Peoples.
The project will adopt the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach used in the KALAHI-CIDSS program, empowering communities to chart their own path to development.
KALAHI-CIDSS Deputy National Program Manager Didith T. Bosoen, along with DSWD Field Office 1 Regional Director Marie Angela S. Gopalan, Specialized Programs Division OIC-Chief Mary Grace A. Rendon, and CDO IV Norman C. Casuga, represented the agency during the meeting.
Ms. Bosoen highlighted DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s statement that KALAHI-CIDSS is the only program truly committed to Community-Driven Development, emphasizing the importance of sustaining its success through a successor project, Panahon ng Pagkilos.
The municipality of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur represented Region 1 during the successful conduct of the Stakeholders’ Consultation meeting for the Panahon ng Pagkilos program orientation of the DSWD Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) held simultaneously across all regions in Luzon on 18 February 2025.
Members of the municipal local government unit and barangay local government unit officials and community volunteers from Barangays Danac, Banga, Pangotan, and Balbalayang (Poblacion) actively participated during the activity by providing inputs for the development of the program which is focused on community resilience. This initiative underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement serving as a valuable platform for partners to contribute insights and recommendations. The presentation utilized a translated Ilokano version to effectively communicate the core components and salient features of the program, making the information easily accessible and culturally appropriate.
The Mayeng-ew Footpath, located in Barangay Licungan, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, is more than just a physical infrastructure project that started in November 2016; it is a comprehensive solution that addresses critical community needs while contributing to the resolution of local challenges. By enhancing accessibility, safety, and economic opportunities, the footpath empowers residents by addressing the difficulty of traveling by foot, struggles of transporting and selling goods from the community to the market, challenges on bringing the sick to hospitals, and loss of interest of children in attending classes due to the absence of a clear and good path. This sub-project stands as a testament to the positive impact of community-driven initiatives.
The National Program Management Office (NPMO) led by Ms Ginalyn Varona, PDOIV Procurement along with representatives from Field Office 2 (FO2), Region IV-A (MIMAROPA) and RPMO-FO1 conducted a physical-technical evaluation of completed community infrastructure sub-projects in Region 1 last November 26-28, 2024 in the municipality of Sugpon, province of Ilocos Sur.
The said activity aimed to evaluate completed sub-projects compliance to program environmental safeguards, procurement and engineering policies and standards of SPs, provide recommendations to ensure sustainability and identify policy recommendations as well.
Six completed sub-projects from the four barangays of the municipality of Sugpon were visited, namely temporary quarantine facilities of Sitio Toyeng, Banga, Balbalayang and Caoayan, access pathway of barangay Caoayan, flood control and Gayaman hanging foot bridge both from barangay Pangotan.
DSWD Field Office 1 - Ilocos Region commends LGU Sugpon, Ilocos Sur for being one of the regional recipients of the 2024 Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS Sub-projects Awards.
The KALAHI-CIDSS Program - National Program Management Office proudly recognized the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur for its steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable development and enhancing community well-being. This national recognition highlights the LGU's dedication to sustaining and maintaining the Mayeng-aw footpath sub-project in Barangay Licungan, which has significantly contributed to the municipality's growth.
The awarding ceremonies held is part of the 2024 Local Chief Executive Forum on 21 November at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City, attended by over 200 LCEs nationwide.