16/10/2024
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), National Program Management Office (NPMO) and the World Bank (WB) conducted the 18th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) Preparatory Mission on 30 September 2024 with a clear objective to push for the establishment of climate-resilient communities through the Panahon ng Pagkilos.
This preparatory mission emphasized the importance of taking action in delivering climate change adaptation projects, and is aligned with the Panahon ng Pagkilos initiative proposed to be implemented in 2025.
During the activity, the KALAHI-CIDSS NPMO and WB highlighted the significant accomplishments over the past 20 years reporting benefited communities that reached to a total of 33,240 out of 42,209 communities or 78% were positively impacted by the program with completed sub projects approximately at 54,500 under the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) and its subsequent NCDDP-AF modality.
KALAHI-CIDSS achieved 15 out of 16 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), demonstrating its adherence to the program's participatory, transparent, and accountable principles within the established timelines.
These impressive figures demonstrate the program's commitment not only to the effective implementation but also in adherence to its core principles utilizing the CDD approach, thus, the proposed continuation of WBβs support through the Panahon ng Pagkilos.
Further, the NPMO presented and clarified matters in compliance to the recommendations provided by the Department of Finance (DOF), and National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC).
Some recommendations include an enhanced design of the project specifically to address the challenge between the proposed financing and the Philippines' stance on climate reparations, and to work closely with the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the preparatory project development activities.
βKALAHI-CIDSS will continuously exert our efforts with the identified project development partners for an in-depth guidance on aspects in project development, particularly on Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) enhancement in preparation for the planning and review of components and infrastructure in the shortest possible time,β emphasized KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin.
Mapue-Joaquin reiterated that the timeline for the transition from the NCDDP-AF to the Panahon ng Pagkilos is expected to occur between the remaining months of 2024 and the first few months of 2025.
βWithin this timeline, the Department will also continue pushing and aiming for the approval and support of the DOF, NEDA-ICC, and the Office of the President,β Mapue-Joaquin added.
The Department underscored the urgent need for WB funding on the PH Locally-led Climate Action Project (PLCAP) which addresses climate change impacts in vulnerable municipalities and focuses on adaptation measures to mitigate these impacts, making it a crucial initiative for the country.
Nevertheless, KALAHI-CIDSS NPMO is certain to comply and submit the necessary information demonstrating their dedication to transparency and cooperation.
There are still scheduled focused group and technical discussions, and consultation meetings with partner national government agencies which have affirmed the project's significance, until its anticipated approval.
The activity was participated by DSWD officials and KALAHI-CIDSS NPMO heads and staff led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, representatives from the NGAs, and development partners who agreed with strategically positive steps towards advancing the 5-year Pagkilos initiative of building climate-resilient communities in the Philippines.
This is a developing story.
