Tubod, Surigao del Norte- “Bringing the Community-Driven Development (CDD) process in our Community-Development Program (CDP) implementation is a way to go,” expressed Manager Jose E. Dagala, Jr. of the Community Relations Department of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Incorporated (SMMCI).
This statement was uttered by Mr. Dagala during the recently conducted assessment of public-private partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the SMMCI. It was held at Villa Milan Hotel in the municipality of Tubod in Surigao del Norte.
It was on December 9, 2013 held at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City that the two parties forged partnership through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
One highlight of the said partnership is the sharing of the CDD strategy incorporated by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of DSWD.
SMMCI replicated the CDD technology of Kalahi-CIDSS in implementing the company’s CDP.
To date, three (3) sub-projects namely construction of 365 lm drainage canal, repair and improvement of barangay road with drainage canal, and construction of 1 unit 2 classroom building were put up by the communities in the recipient barangays (Capayahan, San Isidro, and Timamana) in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.
The said sub-projects which amount to Php2,880,565.10 in toto were turned over in December 2014 and March 2015 to the recipient communities.
In the assessment, both DSWD and SMMCI shared the gains as well as good practices of the public-private partnership.
“Ang proseso nga CDD ang pinaka-the best tungod kay gihatagan ug pagsalig ang mga community volunteers sa pag-manage ug pondo para sa pag-implementar ug proyekto (The process of CDD is the best because it entrusted the community volunteers to manage funds in project implementation),” expressed Rodulfo U. Batistil, a community volunteer and chairperson of the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) in Timamana.
Honorable Mayor Cristina Hemady R. Arcillas of Tubod also gave a message during the activity.
In her talk, she shared her insights on the partnership engagement which was one of her initiatives.
“Poverty alleviation cannot be undertaken in one institution. If everybody works together, it has a greater impact to the community and I am very thankful to the Silangan Mindanao Mining for accepting the CDD.” quipped Arcillas.
The participants of the assessment who are the representatives of DSWD, SMMCI, and community volunteers sector actively provided inputs and shared experiences on the CDD-way implementation of sub-projects.
Enhanced spirit of volunteerism at the community level, strengthened partnership among various stakeholders, strong sense of ownership to all projects by the community, proactive community involvement, religious sharing of counterparts, and enhanced transparency in all transactions- these were the major gains of implementing CDP using the CDD technology according to the SMMCI.
Regional Program Manager and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Mita G. Lim who also attended the assessment expressed her appreciation towards SMMCI for embracing the CDD.
“DSWD is thankful to SMMCI for adopting the CDD. It is an honest observation that SMMCI is serious in performing its corporate social responsibility.” bared Lim.
With the successful outcome of the public-private partnership, it is already planned that the engagement will be renewed and sustained for the next cycle.
Kalahi-CIDSS is one of DSWD’s flagship anti-poverty program. It recently scaled up into a national community-driven development program and is implemented to provide poor communities access to services and increase their participation in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation. ###(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
