AGUSAN DEL NORTE – To ensure that quality education will be enjoyed by the younger generations, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the big ticket programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) –  provided an opportunity for the people of Barangay Panaytayon in the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez to address their needs for classroom buildings.

On May 31, 2018, a 1-unit, 2-classroom building, (elementary/kindergarten) became operational and ready to cater students after it was inaugurated and turned-over. The project, which is worth Php2,390,901.4 was completed through the collective efforts of the different stakeholders who have extended resources to ensure its realization.

The community identified the problem during the Participatory Situational Analysis, one of the activities done during the implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS program (where community members identify their problems and possible solutions to their problems with the existing resources they have) as top priority. This was because their preschool building is no longer operational because of its bad condition, and they lack elementary classrooms with the growing number of enrollees. With the active participation and leadership of the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee, the implementation and completion of the sub-project ran smoothly.

“Bisan adunay mga pagsulay sa pag-implement sa among proyekto, malipayon gihapon kaming tanan kay ania na ang classroom nga among gipangayo sa Kalahi-CIDSS. Mao man gyud ni among gipangayo lagi kay guba na ang karaan nga skwelahan ug daghan na pud mga studyante (Even though we faced challenges in the implementing the project, we are still very glad that the classroom we asked from Kalahi-CIDSS is now completed. We proposed this project because our old classrooms are already dilapidated and there is a shortage of classrooms with the growing number of students),” BSPMC Chairperson Grace R. Bernaldez said.

During the inauguration and turn-over of the community project, RTR Municipal Vice Mayor Oscar Apat, together with the Sangguniang Bayan Members, Barangay Officials, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries, community volunteers and the DSWD Caraga Kalahi-CIDSS workers were on hand to witness the exuberant event.

The turnover of the key of responsibility to the MLGU, BLGU and O&M was spearheaded by Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga Sub-Regional Project Coordinator (SRPC) Juvy Echavaria, on behalf of DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mita Chuchi G. Lim.

“Kami sa Kalahi-CIDSS nanghinaot nga matuman ang purpose niining classrooms. Magbinantayon kamo nga dili kani magamit sa dili maong purpose nga inyong gi-propose. Klasihan jud kini, ipagamit sa mga bata, ipadayon ang kalimpyo ug kaanindot sa mga classrooms (We, in Kalahi-CIDSS are hoping that the classrooms will serve its purpose. You need to be vigilant that these would not be used improperly and not in-line of its main purpose. Use it to have classes for your students and maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the classrooms),” Echavaria said.

All stakeholders who were present took oath to protect and maintain the functionality and sustainability of the sub-project by signing the mutual agreement and certificate of completion and acceptance spearheaded by the Operations and Maintenance Representative Bernita Declarado.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the programs of the government implemented by DSWD, which utilizes the CDD process in its implementation. This process involves the community in the active identification of their community’s problems – solution formulation – project proposal preparation and budgeting and implementation.

###(SHERYL M. LORENZO/MARKO DAVEY D. REYES/Kalahi-CIDSS/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)