TALAINGOD, Davao Del Norte — The communities of Sto. Nio, Tibi-tibi, Salawao, Misolong, Cabadiangan, Palma Gil, Butay, Dagohoy and Tibucag of Talaingod town, Davao Del Norte, recently completed nine projects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), the flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
DSWD regional director Mercedita P. Jabagat said the projects were identified and implemented by the Ata-Manobos themselves with the crucial support of the local government and the technical guidance of the Kalahi people immersed in the areas.
The tribal communities handled all financial transactions since all funds were directly downloaded to the community accounts, she said.
The projects include construction of two potable water systems, one corn mill, one shallow tube well for irrigation, one community library and slope agricultural land technology (SALT) which entailed planting of 93,000 mats of cardava banana in about 165 hectares of land.
We are immensely glad the Lumads have decided to address their need for sustainable agriculture which will ensure food security and unlock a new economic opportunity for them as well, DSWD assistant regional director and Kalahi project manager Minda Brigoli said , adding that the SALT project is projected to produce an initial 310,000 kilos of cardava bananas after 12 to 18 months.
The tribal communities and the local government under Mayor Pilar A. Libayao have produced 3.1 million pesos or 41% of the 7.6 million pesos total project cost for the nine projects.
The LGU already allotted a 450,000 peso initial cash counterpart and assisted in pre-engineering works such as technical assistance in site validation, program of work preparations and provision of needed equipment, Kalahi area coordinator Lanny Guinit said.
Since its launching in Talaingod last July 2003, Kalahi has completed 18 projects which include the much-visited 188 tribal housing units.
Kalahi-CIDSS is also being implemented in the municipalities of Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte; Tarragona and Manay, Davao Oriental; and Laak, Compostela Valley. At present, Talaingod is undertaking its third and last cycle for the Kalahi program. (PIA/DSWD)
