Volunteers, Official Tell Their Stories of Change

They come from different barangays in Cordova, Cebu but Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers Felotia Jubay, Dafodil Baguio, Jovino Baguio Jr. and barangay captain Rosa Marie Suan have the same positive stories about their experiences with the program.

Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the Philippine Government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It uses the community-driven development (CDD) approach, a globally recognized strategy for achieving service delivery, poverty reduction, and good governance outcomes.

All Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects in Cordova were formally turned over to the local government unit in a short ceremony last week. Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho attended the event together with the community volunteers and DSWD Field Office VII staff headed by Engr. Macrino Sumagang, Deputy Regional Project Manager of Kalahi-CIDSS

Septuagenarian helps repair a barangay road

At 70, Felotia Jubay is making her life more meaningful by serving as a volunteer of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Jubay is a resident of Barangay Ibabao, Cordova, Cebu situated 20 kilometers away from Cebu City.

The town of Cordova is among the 82 Kalahi-CIDSS sub-project implementers in Central Visayas and is a recipient of at least 15 sub-projects covering 12 barangays.

Among the completed sub-projects in Cordova that were recently turned over to its local government include day care centers, multi-purpose center, elementary school buildings, drainage system, repair of covered courts and barangay roads.

Jubay, a retired teacher with 14 children and 72 grandchildren remains active in community activities. She was instrumental in the repair of a 220-meter barangay road funded by Kalahi-CIDSS.

Jubay expressed that the construction of the barangay road was faced with challenges due to the opposition of some village owners and miscommunication in their group.

“It almost didn’t push through but I told my co-volunteers that we need to continue as the budget is already available and we will all benefit from this road repair,” said Jubay who also served as the vice-chair of the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC).

A veteran in volunteering for community projects, Jubay cited that challenges makes a project more significant.

The active septuagenarian together with the rest of the residents of Barangay Ibabao, are now enjoying a newly repaired road.

Woman PWD volunteers for kalahi-CIDSS

A neophyte in volunteer work, Dafodil Baguio, 48, of Barangay Poblacion never thought that she would play an important part in the construction of a drainage system that addressed flooding in their area.

Baguio, who is a polio victim served as the bookkeeper of the BSPMC. She is in charge of the inventory of their project’s financial transactions and reports.

“I don’t have any idea about accounting jobs because I didn’t have proper education but when I became part of Kalahi-CIDSS, I was able to acquire new skills and at the same time help my community,” she said.

Baguio added that with her disability she couldn’t believe that she was part of the successful implementation of the barangay drainage system.

She further added that because of the project she can now safely roam around without worrying of being stranded due to flooding especially that we are now experiencing the rainy season.

Spirit of volunteerism

Moreover, retired police officer Jovino Baguio Jr, BSPMC chair of Barangay Dapitan cited that Kalahi-CIDSS did not only help his community build a daycare center it has also awaken the spirit of volunteerism in their area.

Aside from volunteerism, Baguio also stressed that Kalahi-CIDSS is the only government project that teaches the community on how to construct basic infrastructures after series of training.

He explained that Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers are involved in the monitoring, procurement and canvas of the construction materials.

Safe and comfortable place to learn

Day-As Barangay Captain Rosa Marie Suan for her part lauded Kalahi-CIDSS because it has helped her barangay addressed the classroom shortage of Day-As Elementary School.

“With the completion of the two new classrooms, our children will now have a safe and comfortable place to learn,” said Suan.

She added that the classrooms will also serve as evacuation centers.

Suan shared that prior to the completion and turn-over of the new classrooms; students are attending classes in a makeshift tent, which distracts their focus on learning.

“We assure DSWD that we will take care of these new classrooms,” Suan promised.