LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here will strengthen its community participation program for village leaders through its “Makilahok” project that aims to promote accountability and transparency in the barangay.
Under the project — to be undertaken through the “Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services” or Kalahi-CIDSS program — DSWD will conduct trainings in 15 local government units in Bicol.
In an interview on Monday, DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said after the trainings that are set to start next month, each participating village is expected to come up with a Barangay Development Plan with activities, techniques and other implementation arrangements that can be adopted in their planning and budgeting process.
“This initiative will significantly help in heightening our support towards community empowerment and participation through the institutionalization of local development process,” he noted.
The training will cover four areas: Participatory Situation Analysis (PSA); Community Finance; Community Procurement following the Philippine financial and procurement procedures under Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act); and Community Monitoring.
The pilot municipalities that will take part in Makilahok are Manito and Jovellar in Albay; Jose Panganiban and San Vicente in Camarines Norte; Cabusao, Minalabac, Gainza, Canaman and Ocampo in Camarines Sur; Baras and Gigmoto of Catanduanes; Mobo and Palanas in Masbate; and Irosin and Gubat in Sorsogon.
“These municipalities were identified based on their implementation performance of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, completion of community projects and LGUs’ readiness to undergo capacity training for all barangays,” Garcia said.
The Makilahok project will be implemented with a total budget of PHP7.52 million. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
