Bicol gets P1.07B for poverty-reduction projects in 2013

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) --The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the government has aided some 2,051 communities with P1.07 billion in Bicol for continued implementation this 2013.

Bicol regional director Arnel Garcia of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disclosed that all provinces will receive grants to target poor communities, with Albay receiving P149 million; Camarines Sur, P360 million; Camarines Norte, P97 million; Catanduanes, P48 million; Masbate, P197million; and Sorsogon with P218 million.

Garcia added that Kalahi-CIDDS, a multi-funded project of DSWD, covers at least 70 municipalities in all provinces of Bicol providing poverty-reduction projects to address local needs in the poorest areas in the region.

The project operates in different implementation processes with funding from the government and other international agencies.

Kalahi -CIDSS is a community-driven development (CDD) project in the Philippines which strongly advocates the involvement of local communities in the design and implementation of development projects to address the issue of poverty in the country.

The project also aims to improve local governance by having the people participate in the development process.

Garcia explained that community residents consensually decide on what type of poverty-reduction projects they need for funding.

“Common projects include: public goods or access projects such as pathways, farm-to-market roads, health centers, water systems, day-care centers and school buildings; community enterprise projects such as solar dryers, rice mills and community markets,” he furthered.

Garcia said that the selection of Kalahi-CIDSS project areas is based on the 2009 Philippines poverty statistics of National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

He noted that the regional poverty incidence among families is 36 percent. (MAL-PIA 5/JBMarbella-DSWD5)


Community-based festivals to bring out the best in Pinoys - NCCA

By Mike de La Rama, PGA

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is encouraging local artists to engage in community-based festivals in the Bicol Region to bring out the artistic brilliance of the Filipinos.

NCCA is spearheading a campaign on cultural policies of the Philippines to encourage local communities to promote their festivals, said Lutgardo Labad, NCCA National Committee on Dramatic Arts head said over the weekend.

“The community-based festival, Labad said, is very different because we need to involve the community, especially out-of-school youths and vulnerable groups to value social entrepreneurship and tourism.”

Labad said NCCA will provide a one-year training to organize the composition of community-based arts and drama groups.

“Their festival can deal with local prime commodities, lifestyle and other mythical stories in the community," Labad added.

He said the ultimate goal of the program is to create income from tourism.

In the province of Albay, festivals have a major impact on the development of cultural tourism to the host communities.

Labad said in the community-based festival, trained artists will use their respective historical and cultural themes to develop the annual events to attract visitors and creating cultural image by holding festivals in the community settings. (MAL/MDA-LGU-Albay/PIA5)