In line with its commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness and build community resilience, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga successfully turned over the Evacuation Center worth Php6,565,324.17 in Brgy. Ferdinand, Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands, last October 30, 2024.

The sub-project is funded through KALAHI – CIDSS Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KC KKB BP2P) modality, which is expected to benefit 56 families with 23 4Ps households. The construction began on December 4, 2023, and was completed on July 25, 2024. This facility includes common areas for evacuees, a couples’ room, isolation room, clinic, daycare room, mothers’ room, kitchen, laundry area, storage, toilets, and a water storage tank.

This is significantly important considering the entire Province of Dinagat Islands is a typhoon prone area. It was one of the areas worst-hit by Typhoon Odette – the third Category 5 typhoon that hit the country in the last two years. It affected over 34,000 families in Dinagat alone and left more than 14,500 houses totally destroyed and another 15,700 partially damaged.

This newly constructed evacuation center will provide safe haven for individuals and families during natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, offering temporary shelter to those displaced from their homes.

Additionally, the center will also serve as distribution points for aid and resources, including financial assistance, rebuilding materials, and guidance on recovery efforts. The facility can also be utilized as a venue for community meetings, forums, and assemblies, further enhancing its role in supporting local resilience and recovery.

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

KALAHI-CIDSS Deputy National Program Manager (DNPM) for Operations Director Rolando Villacorta underscores the effectiveness of community-driven development initiatives in addressing local needs.

“Sa ating mga community volunteers at local officials maraming salamat ipinakita ninyo ang tunay na diwa ng Community-Driven Development (To our community volunteers and local officials thank you for showing the true spirit of Community-Driven Development). Under the KALAHI – CIDSS we aim to empower people to take the lead, and you have proven that when people come together with a common goal nothing is impossible,” Director Villacorta remarked.

“Through this approach, we believe that communities become stronger, more resilient, and more capable of addressing their unique challenges,” he added.

Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) Chairperson Marites Jumamoy highlights her valuable experience as a community volunteer.

“Bisan paman wala ko kahibalo sa construction sa una, karon aduna nay kahibalo bisan gamay kung unsay dapat buhaton. Kung adunay meeting og training ako gyod gi-encourage akong mga kauban nga mu-attend aron naa me makat-onan (Even though I don’t know anything about construction before, I now have at least a little knowledge of what needs to be done. Whenever there is a meeting or training, I really encourage my team to attend and learn new things,” Jumamoy shared.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a program that uses a community-driven development strategy to ensure people-centered development by providing assistance, capacity-building, and implementation support to poverty-disadvantaged and disaster-affected municipalities.