City of Koronadal – A total of 142 newly-hired staff of the government’s KALAHI CIDSS – NCDDP or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community Driven Development Program composed of area coordinators, project engineers, financial analysts and community empowerment facilitators were oriented recently on their roles and responsibilities as well as on the program guidelines prior to actual deployment in their assigned area.

Bai Zorahayda Taha, regional director of DSWD 12, on her message during the staff training-orientation reminded them to perform completed staff work in their individual tasks. She said, “ I want all of my staff to be fully aware of the results and the expected output which the program require.”

She also advised all trained NCDDP workers to observe courtesy to program partners particularly to Local Chief Executives and other LGU officials and to serve as bridge whenever problems in the community arise.

Seventeen (17) municipalities in the region are set to avail of this initiative as a poverty reduction effort of the government that aims to empower communities by providing them access to services and make them participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation.”

These towns are: Glan, Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum in Saranggani Province; Alamada, Aleosan, Banisilan, Carmen and Pikit in North Cotabato; and Bagumbayan, Isulan, Kalamansig, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat.

In the last 10 years, 25 towns have benefitted from the program.

KALAHI CIDDS – NCDDP aims to empower communities by providing them opportunities to select projects that are considered priority needs such as school buildings, bridges and water systems, among others.