Poverty Reduction Is Community Driven

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

The guests in the Kapihan on February 18 are Ms. Elizabeth Ferraris – Community Development Specialist, Mr. Manuel N. Reyes III – Regional Finance Analyst, Ms. Mary Grace Centino – Area Coordinator, and Ms. Maricar M. Calubiran – Social Marketing Officer. They are shown in the above picture with Mr. Ernesto T. Solidum of Madyaas Pen extreme left.

Mr. Rey Solano, NVC Supreme Student Council President

with his committee members.

Kapihan session on February 18, 2012 tackled two different topics namely: “Poverty Reduction Strategy of KALAHI–CIDSS under DSWD and 64th Foundation Anniversary of Northwestern Visayan Colleges” (NVC) held in Smokehauz Resto & Bar. Guests are Ms. Elizabeth Ferraris – Community Development Specialist, Mr. Manuel N. Reyes III – Regional Finance Analyst, Ms. Mary Grace Centino – Area Coordinator, and Ms. Maricar M. Calubiran – Social Marketing Officer.

Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino mentioned that Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI–CIDSS) implemented by DSWD has reached 4,583 barangays in 200 municipalities of the 42 poorest provinces from 2003 to 2011. This year, additional six provinces will be covered. Criteria for inclusion of target areas are those where poverty incidence reported by NSCB is more than 41 percent.

In 2011, Libacao and Madalag were first recipients. This year, it will expand to five municipalities which are: Ibajay, Makato, New Washington, Batan, and Tangalan. It aims to achieve convergence of other social services like Sea-K, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Food for Work program of DSWD said Atty. Tolentino.

Ms. Ferraris underscored, “KALAHI–CIDSS is community – driven designed to improve infra and social services for the poor. Training component of 6 months on leadership, teamwork and management skills allow target families to take stock of their present resources and identify felt needs. Training is part of capacity building process in their aspiration to lift themselves out of poverty. In short people empowerment”.

Mr. Reyes III said that KALAHI–CIDSS is funded with $120 million grant by Millenium Challenge Corp. In 2011, Madalag received P11.25 million with 30 percent of the fund channeled into infra projects like farm to market roads (FMR), Brgy. Health Station and concrete foot bridge. A total of P750,000 went to training or capacity building.

Ms. Centino, Area Coordinator for Madalag noted that the high poverty incidence is traced to acute shortage of infra like FMR, Health Station and irrigation, all basic necessities for survival. Out of 25 barangays, 14 is covered by KALAHI–CIDSS. NSCB studies found farmers have low purchasing power, poorly educated and malnourished.

A 30 minute video presentation on program implementation in Concepcion, Iloilo and Jamindan, Capiz followed the discussion. These areas are earlier recipients of the program, and showed remarkable success and favorable comments from local chief executives.

KALAHI–CIDSS is holistic in providing vital services like social development, engineering, monitoring, and evaluation, administration and finance. Unlike other government projects, it is grounded on people participation and commitment. A minimum fund of P150,000 per year is allotted per barangay for adopting any of approved projects. Janiuay, Iloilo is a role model which graduated from the grip of poverty and want. DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman aptly calls this exit strategy.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, Dean of Mass Communication, NVC stated the theme of the 64th NVC Foundation Day celebration this year is “Sustainable Environment through Education, Culture and Arts.” Activities have started Feb. 14 and will formally end on March 2, 2012.

Mr. Rey Solano, President, Supreme Student Council together with his three committee chair-persons discussed important events like Journalism Seminar, Launching of Kid Center, Annual College Symposium, Seminar on Climate Change, Civic Parade, Coronation Night of King and Queen of Hearts, Music Festival and Cultural Contest.

Among the important guests are Dr. Cesar Chavez, News Editor of DZRH – Manila Broadcasting Corp. He will discuss Journalism. Resource Speaker from DENR will deal on Climate Change.

Local Government Code

The Decentralization Act or Local Government Code of 1991 was passed by Congress to empower LGU’s to finance and manage their resources for stability and prosperity. IRA fund comprises 67 percent of total annual budget of which 20 percent is for economic development. RA 7160 is meant to foster people empowerment and local autonomy.

It is ironic that two decades later, people empowerment is still a dream. Secretary Jesse Robredo, DILG once stated that 80 percent of IRA funds is misspent by LGU officials. Thus, the untenable infra condition of our communities especially in remote places is very common. Libacao and Madalag for instance has 70 percent poverty incidence but thanks to KALAHI–CIDSS, many of these once decrepit barangays are able to see the light of hope.

“When people are involved in active planning, project implementation and evaluation, there is sense and spirit of ownership” said Ferraris. This is bottom up planning approach in management. The result is efficiency, effectivity and sustainability.

Due to the present circumstances, there is urgent need to evaluate RA 7160 implementation as high poverty incidence and hunger could have been averted by 50 percent of our population had the law been fully implemented to its spirit and intent.

Entry into Force (EIF) under Millennium Challenge Corp. funded by US government is worth $434 million to fight poverty. The Philippine government appropriates P39.5 billion for CCT. This is considered highly controversial. This is a huge financial burden given that our GDP growth appears phlegmatic or feeble. Standard Chartered Bank forecast for 2011 was 3.8 percent, 3.2 percent in 2012, 5.3 percent in 2013 and 5.0 percent in 2014. A 3.0 percent figure is in the state of recession.

It appears that what really matter in this concerted war against poverty is basically to instill in the minds of Filipinos the virtue of industry, thrift, frugality, and honesty says Dr. Villorente. Nothing could be further from the truth. /MP