Poverty Reduction Through KALAHI-CIDSS Projects

by MELROSE S. LUNN

DSWD, KC-CIDSS MCC team, and LGU Aklan representatives signing the Memorandum of Agreement. They are (l to r) sitting first row Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa , Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, and DSWD Regional Director Minda Brigoli, CEO VI. Standing are Mr. Tommy Cabuenos - Dep Project Mgr MCC, Ms. Elsa Malbas - DWSD Aklan, Ms. Marivic Anonuevo - Managing Director MCC, Mr. John Polk - Resident Country Director, MCC Mr. Andres Moll - Dir KALAHI-CIDSS MCC, and DSWD Asst. Regional Director.

AKLAN. DSWD Regional Director – Minda Brigoli, CEO VI, Aklan Provincial Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, with LGU Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa and LGU Madalag Mayor Rex Gubatina, inked a Memorandum of Agreement for the project implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), during the MOA Signing between DSWD, KALAHI CIDSS and the Provincial Government, last July 19, 2011 at the Gov. Roberto Q. Garcia Building, Aklan Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.

The towns of Libacao and Madalag were considered this year’s ‘guaranteed municipalities’ for the P450K grant per cycle per year of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) - Compre-hensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

These municipalities in the province of Aklan are among the 21 target municipalities in the country for this year’s MCC’s project implementation. Libacao is a 3rd class municipality and is located at the southern tip of Aklan, while Madalag is a 4th class municipality and the second largest municipality of the province.

Mayor Gubatina and Mayor Navarosa expressed their utmost gratification to MCC and to Governor Marquez for this welcome opportunity of development in the towns of Madalag and Libacao, respectively. Gov. Marquez in his welcome remarks said, "this project is project security as to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The grant is the nation’s strategy on poverty reduction as Libacao and Madalag had high poverty incidence rate in the province."

Governor Marquez described the project as "a blessing and a thanks-giving" for Aklanons. The provincial government is supporting the project, join forces with DSWD and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Ms. Marivic E. Anonuevo, Managing Director of MCC Philippines said, "This project is project of the people, for they are to identify, implement, monitor and evaluate the project itself. It is people power in action. The uniqueness of the project is people empowerment." Mr. Andres K. Moll, Director of KALAHI-CIDSS MCC affirmed this statement by saying, "KC is about building community. It is making a difference in the lives of others. As public servant, they are the people we ought to serve."

KALAHI-CIDSS will bring positive approaches and new perspectives to combat poverty in the county. Both the mayors of two municipalities expressed their excitement that at a long period of time, they can finally improve road from farm to markets, and then the rest of the development follows. "The project is the principle of participation, transparency, and accountability," added DSWD Regional Director Minda Brigoli.

Gov. Marquez further stated that, "this project will bring stronger partnership between the local government units, national agencies, and the community as a whole." Last May 2011, the team visited the province during the evaluation process of KALAHI-CIDSS MCC Philippines. The MOA Signing was also followed by the installation of the new members of the KALAHI-CIDSS MCC and Aklan team.

The Philippines is a recipient of $434 million Philippine Compact for Economic Development from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. MCC is an independent foreign aid agency created by the US Congress that forges partnerships with developing countries. MCC provides eligible countries with large scale, five year grants or compacts for projects geared towards sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. /MP