DSWD, Partners Meet to Ensure Success of Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA Implementation

Posted on October 23, 2015

Engr. Nazarre Jimenez, Municipal Engineer of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, sharing his expertise on government procurement process as he consolidates the output of the participants from the different municipalities implementing PAMANA 2015. DSWD Caraga is ensuring that all stakeholders of Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills regarding the new guidelines for PAMANA 2015, especially on procurement and fund utilization.

Butuan City – The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan (Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA) held a consultative meeting with technical working group discussion together with partner-stakeholders on the new guidelines for Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA 2015 implementation, specifically on R.A. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and the changes to the fund management system.

The activity, which was held last October 16, 2015 at Prince Hotel, this city, was attended by representatives from the municipalities who are part of the project implementation, namely, Bayabas, San Miguel, Tagbina, Alegria, Mainit, Gigaquit, Kitcharao, RTR, Jabonga, San Luis, Esperanza and Veruela. Selected members of the Area Coordinating Teams and Municipal Coordinating Teams of the aforementioned municipalities were also present during the conduct of the activity.

Selected persons from the Engineering, Social, and Finance Units of the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) served as resource persons for the meeting. Since Kalahi-CIDSDS PAMANA utilizes community volunteers to implement the program, discussions focused on public bidding and the procurement process. With the R.A. 9184 unfamiliar to the community volunteers, certain guidelines and actions had to be in place to ensure a smooth sailing implementation.

Another matter tackled was the changes in fund management. During the CY 2014 cycle, the community, or the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) managed the funds for their community sub-project by opening a community trust account. But for CY 2015, the barangay local government unit (BLGU) will now be tasked to open the trust account, and they will now have a more active part in the disbursement and release of the community funds.

Maredith Julve, Sub-Regional Program Coordinator of Kalahi-CIDSS (Cluster 3 and 4) provides her input on the output of the participants during the consultative meeting with technical working group discussion together with partner-stakeholders on the new guidelines for Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA 2015 implementation, specifically on R.A. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and the changes to the fund management system.

Caroline Catalan, Community Development Officer III – PAMANA Focal, stressed the importance of the active participation of all stakeholders to ensure that the goals and thrusts of the program will be achieved. “With the new guidelines, those who are part of the implementation will have to face some challenges. But with everyone’s cooperation, it can be assured that conflict-stricken communities will be benefiting from the program the soonest,” Catalan added.

Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development. It is implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements. It is being implemented by the Department in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). ###(MARKO DAVEY D. REYES/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)