DSWD expands Kalahi-CIDDS coverage to 20 new municipalities

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Now on its eighth year in the Bicol region, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been expanding its coverage in alleviating poverty and empowering communities.

According to KALAHI-CIDSS regional social marketing officer Jesseshan Manilla, the program has already reached 20 new municipalities.

The said municipalities are located in five provinces in the region namely Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes.

KALAHI-CIDSS is the government's flagship poverty-alleviation program, extending assistance to poor local government units (LGUs) whose approved projects are directly managed, supervised, and monitored by the villagers themselves.

Addressing the new KALAHI-CIDDS areas, DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan said, “You might hear stories about the impact of Kalahi-CIDSS from other people who have experienced it in their communities and now, it’s your time to experience the project and testify to the true sense of the project.”

To concretize the three-year implementation of the program in the said areas, DSWD deployed KALAHI-CIDDS coordinating teams collaborate with the municipal and barangay LGUs who in turn expressed their full support and commitment in their own unique way.

In Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, one of the new municipalities covered by the program, community leaders affixed their signatures corresponding to the name of their respective barangays while in Gubat, Sorsogon, everyone placed polychromatic hand prints on a white canvas, Marbella pointed out.

Warm welcome was likewise expressed by members of the youth, elderly, NGOs, and LGUs from the municipal and barangay levels during the program in their localities particularly during the opening ceremony, municipal orientation and MOA signing executed between DSWD and LGUs.

Based from the KALAHI-CIDDS National Project Management Team (NPMT) Year-end Report, KALAHI-CIDDS increased the labor participation, boosted residents’ interpersonal trust in government officials, raised household membership in organizations and improved household access to basic social services, Marbella added.

To date the program has expanded to 12 regions, 42 provinces, 200 municipalities and 4, 583 barangays from 2003 to 2011. (MAL/SAA-PIA 5, Albay)



Jail non-commissioned officers refreshers’ course underway

LEGAZPI CITY, MAY 7 (PIA) -- A refresher course for jail non-commissioned officers (JNCOs) was held simultaneously in provinces of Bicol region today, May 7.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) provincial offices of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes have prepared a lineup of activities during the five-day course, covering a review program of basic jail management and operation, policies, and guidelines.

In 2008, the BJMP-RO5 initiated the course, particularly programmed for JNCOs who have administrative cases or who were caught violating jail policies while performing their duties.

The activity gained remarkable reviews from the national headquarters and was replicated by other regional offices nationwide.

This year, however, the refresher course is particularly prearranged for personnel who have not undergone mandatory trainings required for their rank and seminars related to jail management.

In fact, as underscored in a memorandum dated January 31 2012 from the Director for Human Resource and Development, this activity is conducted in its effort to constantly implement the JAILS First Program, which significantly recognizes the need to continually provide training opportunities for its human resource.

Participants will undergo lecture, group dynamics, simulation and practical exercises. A program of instruction will be strictly followed.

Among the subject matters to be discussed are pertinent laws, rules and regulations related to penology, crisis management, transformational leadership, customs, and traditions. (MAL/RMCastor-BJMP V)




DSWD-5 opens summer jobs for Gov’t Internship Program (GIP)

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Young people will have a chance to earn and learn as the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Bicol region opens summer jobs under the Expanded Government Internship Program (GIP).

According to Jesseshan Marbella, DSWD KALAHI-CIDDs regional social marketing officer, the 52-day summer job experience provides hands-on training in government services and at the same time be an opportunity for hired applicants to earn and augment their monetary needs.

The program will be hiring 90,865 youths from 17 regions nationwide. In the Bicol region 3,054 applicants including students, out of school youth and graduates of both four year courses and vocational courses have been recorded as of April 30, Manahan added.

Qualified applicants may start work immediately and has to complete 52 days of work as stipulated in the program. They shall be compensated commensurate to the minimum wage in the region.

Manahan clarified that hired applicants will not be starting at the same time and will be replaced after completing the specified period.

Interested applicants aged 18 – 30 years of age may go to their local DSWD offices to accomplish the GIP application form and other needed requirements such as a photocopy of their birth certificates.

The Expanded GIP aims to strengthen youth participation in nation building by involving them in the programs and projects of the government and be an opportunity to train their skills and contribute to their economic well-being. (MAL/SAA, PIA V/Albay)