Leyte releases P11.5-M local cash counterpart for KALAHI-CIDSS towns

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 3, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Provincial Government of Leyte under the leadership of Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, recently released some P11.5 million as provincial cash counterpart for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) municipalities in Leyte.

This is a manifestation of the Provincial Government of Leyte’s continued support to the KALAHI-CIDSS project and its objectives, said Governor Petilla, who is acknowledged by DSWD as one of strong supporters of the program in the Region.

Governor Petilla believes in the program’s primary objectives to empower communities and to improve local governance.

Despite the people’s educational handicap, they become like accountants, engineers, lawyers, and politicians, Governor Petilla said. It is because KALAHI CIDSS Project spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has developed their capability, and mobilized their resources as well as empowered them to become active members and implementors of government projects in their area.

They become accountants because they prepare the feasibility study after identifying their social needs in the community. They act as engineers because they can also identify correct materials needed in the construction, its specification and estimates, until construction.

They are aware of the liabilities and responsibilities of every member and can prepare documents with legal essence that will serve as proofs of their efforts as project partners. They can also explain the benefits of the project and campaign for active participation of the community.

All these are learned by the rural folks through rigid and strict guidance of KALAHI CIDSS project implementors, Governor Petilla added.

For the municipality of Javier, the province has committed P1,811,210.00 as counterpart; for La Paz, P2,010,995.00; for Julita, P1,467,636.00; for Mahaplag, P1,561,858.00; for Mayorga, P1,280,410.00; for San Isidro, P1,108,481.00; for Tabango, P803,450.00; and for Tabontabon, P718,895.00.

The next release will include the P1,953,415 the provincial government has pledge for the KALAHI CIDSS in Bato, Leyte. The Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) have obligated P2,431,921.00, and delivered P2,115,815 or 87% of the total fund.

On the other hand, Mahaplag, Leyte, which has committed a total of P1,226,243.10 has delivered P1,219,021.10 or 99%, the highest among the nine municipalities.

The local cash counterpart from the province is a requisite for downloading and disbursement of funds from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office for the identified KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects in the above-mentioned municipalities.

Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) is a unique program approach of the government to development. It is one of the largest poverty alleviation portfolios of World Bank in the Philippines having flowed in almost 15 billion pesos for infrastructure projects.