July 01, 2024 - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its successful program Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), is gearing up for a new initiative. "Panahon ng Pagkilos" (translates to "Time for Action") is a community-led climate adaptation project designed to empower impoverished areas most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.
"KALAHI-CIDSS recognizes the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, particularly for our most vulnerable populations," said Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin, the program's National Program Manager. She emphasized the link between climate change and social inequality, highlighting how these crises disproportionately impact indigenous communities and those already struggling financially.
"Panahon ng Pagkilos" aims to tackle these challenges head-on by promoting social justice and leveraging the knowledge of local communities. This ensures that adaptation efforts are both inclusive and effective.
KALAHI-CIDSS boasts a proven track record of success in building resilience. The program has already constructed over 1,250 evacuation centers, multi-purpose buildings, and community centers, providing safe havens during disasters. Additionally, it has equipped local communities with nearly 1,000 units of disaster and pandemic response equipment, bolstering their preparedness and ability to respond to emergencies.
Furthermore, recognizing the importance of healthcare facilities, KALAHI-CIDSS has built over 3,500 quarantine facilities which can now be repurposed for managing public health emergencies during disasters.
"Effective financing at the local level is crucial for building long-term resilience," stressed Director Mapue-Joaquin. She highlighted that such funding empowers communities to withstand and recover from climate-related disasters.
Strategic Retooling for Greater Impact
In 2023 alone, KALAHI-CIDSS delivered impactful results, completing over 16,000 subprojects and positively affecting the lives of more than 5.5 million households. This success is attributed to strategic program adjustments, including streamlining requirements, clustering subprojects, and fostering stronger engagement with local leaders.
The clustering approach allows for larger-scale community projects by uniting barangays within the same municipality. This pooling of resources allows for increased funding and capacity. For instance, instead of each barangay building a small evacuation center, communities can collaborate on a single, larger center that can accommodate more people. Examples of this successful approach include a 15-room evacuation center built by 26 barangays in Roseller Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay, and an 8-room center constructed by 22 barangays in San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur.
"Panahon ng Pagkilos" promises to be a groundbreaking initiative in empowering Filipino communities to confront the challenges of climate change. By combining community leadership with proven strategies, the project has the potential to significantly improve the lives of those most vulnerable to its devastating effects.