KORONADAL CITY – To enhance the barangay development plan (BDP) in a participatory, multi-sectoral, and community-driven process, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), has commenced series of capability building activities in Region XII.

Camelia A. Taha, the regional program coordinator of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), said that the partnership was funded by the World Bank as support to government’s advocacy to ensure that barangay development plan will directly address the pressing needs of communities.

“BDP is the real voice of the people. This is where we found the directions that our smallest local government unit would like to take in the coming months and years,” Taha said.

However, Taha said, based on the latest BDP Functionality Audit, out of 42,026 barangays in the Philippines, only 28,006 have a barangay development plan.

“DSWD would like to complement with the BDP formulation by mainstreaming the community-driven development approach, which was proven effective in reducing poverty, improving local governance, and empowering local communities,” Taha added.

In Region XII, the partnership aims to enhance the capability of 685 barangays in 31 municipalities through a three-day training of punong barangays, barangay secretaries and other members of the barangay development council.

Among the municipalities to rollout enhanced BDP training include Bagumbayan, Columbio, Lutayan, Lambayong, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Isulan, Lebak, Palimbang, and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat; Aleosan, Tulunan, Banisilan, Pres. Roxas, Antipas, Alamada, Midsayap, Matalam, Arakan, Carmen, M’lang, Kabacan, Makilala, and Pikit in Cotabato Province; Alabel, Glan, Maasim, Maitum and Kiamba in Sarangani Province; and, Polomolok, Tampakan, Tupi in South Cotabato.