CDD is the strategy employed by the Kalahi-CIDSS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for delivering social services, especially to the poor and marginalized sectors of society. Through CDD, local communities take control of the planning, implementing, and monitoring of resource investments for their local development.
CDD ensures that programs integrate the principles of local empowerment, participatory governance, demand-responsiveness, administrative autonomy, greater downward accountability and enhanced local capacity.
Kalahi-CIDSS was first implemented in Culasi in 2012 with grants from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. His father Mayor Joel Lomugdang was then the mayor.
From 2012-2019, Kalahi-CIDSS has provided a grant of more than P135 million for the completion of 136 sub-projects in Culasi. While, the local government unit has poured P18.5 million as local cash counterpart contribution.
In 2020, Mayor Lomugdang decided to utilize a portion of the savings accrued from previous Kalahi-CIDSS implementation to continue building community projects using the CDD approach.
He acknowledged the dedication of the Technical Working Group and Municipal Coordinating Team for being stringent in the past implementations that generated the savings.
The commitment of Vice Convenor Amancio Estelloso and Municipal Planning and Development Officer Sylvia Malacad contributed in the successful implementation of the Program in Culasi.
This year, six projects were identified for funding during the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum using the local development fund. The total costs of projects amounted to P6.5 million.
The six sub-projects are flood control (gabion type) at Barangay Bitadton Norte; Buhi (slope protection); Balac-Balac (flood control gabion type); Jalandoni (road concreting); Camancijan (road concreting) and San Luis (road concreting).
Lomugdang said the savings is a great help for a third-class municipality like Culasi in funding the identified basic infrastructure needs of the people. “An improved community reflects the efficiency of the municipality.”
Lomugdang said he wanted to address the needs of every community specifically on the basic structures to ease the daily burden of people in remote areas. He yearned the next generation would appreciate it and adopt the same process in creating development in the countryside.
The mayor said it requires patience, expenses, and effort to realize his dream. “It did not disappoint me. It was a success.“
