It was a bitter-sweet Program Implementation Review (PIR) for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) earlier today, May 09, 2024, at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City, as it was a venue to celebrate the successes of the program’s implementation, and at the same time, the venue to discuss plans on the closure of one of the longest-running programs of DSWD.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tristan Telen, made sure to thank all the staff of the said program during his opening speech. He commended everyone for “being at their best,” working with communities, promoting Community – Driven Development (CDD). He praised the program’s staff, for maintaining the standard of quality service, which has been the major reason for KALAHI-CIDSS Caraga Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) to be recognized as the Best Performing RPMO for several years now.

KALAHI-CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager (DRPM) Esterlita Villamor, then opened the discussion with the presentation of the program’s status, specifically the timelines for the the culmination of the different program modalities. But even with the closing of the current program modalities, the Field Office is still upbeat of the transition to a new program, which will be launched in 2025.

Aside from discussions on the program’s status, Division Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas (Protective Services Division) discussed the “Safe Spaces Act” or Republic Act 11313, as part of the Agency’s drive to ensure that all DSWD workers are aware of their rights related to safeguards against gender-based sexual harassments.

But the highlight of the PIR is the recognition of the best performing regional staff. The RPMO handed over plaques and certificates of recognition to the Best Community Empowerment Facilitators, Financial Analysts, Technical Facilitators, Area Coordinators, and Area Coordinating Teams who have shown exceptional performance in delivering their functions in the program’s implementation.

To conclude the successful activity, Regional Program Coordinator Raffy Vigil, made sure, during his delivery of his closing message, that everyone was on the same page in closing the program with a bang – and this is by meeting all timelines.