Zamboanga City 03/18/14 – To ensure a more conflict-sensitive, responsive and appropriate facilitation of communities, twenty six (26) newly-hired Community Facilitators  coming from different parts of the region have undergone Technical Coaching Session on Community Facilitation on March 28, 2014 at Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City.

The said activity was conducted by DSWD 9 Regional Program Management Office of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa) following the recruitment of additional staff to be assigned in various areas of coverage.

“This orientation and training hopes to strengthen and improve the quality of project output processes which is one of the basic principles of community facilitation in KC/PAMANA.” Kalahi-CIDSS 9 Regional Program Coordinator Marilyn Fabian explained as to the significance of the undertaking.

Meanwhile, Kalahi-CIDSS 9 Regional Community Development Specialist Elpidio Lapad shared the details of the learning sessions that the participants have gone through.  “We have also provided them technical sessions on Social Preparation, Project Development and crafting of Project Proposal which are the program’s primary components. This will further capacitate and improve the technical assistance delivery of staff in assisting communities identify projects that promote peace and social cohesion in their community.” Lapad added.

Moreover, the activity which will run from March 26-28, 2014 also includes orientation of the new staff on Kalahi-CIDSS-PaMaNa project, particularly on its objectives, principles, implementation and financial arrangements and the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) Process.

The hiring of additional PaMaNa staff under Kalahi-CIDSS was deemed necessary to warrant a more effective, efficient and timely delivery of services and assistance to the community it serves. The 20 newly-recruited community facilitators will be deployed in Naga, Ipil and Malangas, Zamboang Sibugay, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur and Sibuco, Baliguian and Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte

PaMaNa Region 9 Focal and Regional Community Development Associate Abegail Luna also shared how the Program has been doing since its commencement in the Region in 2012. “Kalahi-CIDSS PaMaNa or what is also known as Kalahi-CIDSS for Social Cohesion has been successful in addressing the root causes of conflict through interventions on the ground such as peace and development projects identified through community-driven approach. For non-KC PaMaNa areas, it has effectively implemented and developed 164 sub-projects since its birth.” Luna elaborated.

Kalahi-CIDSS for Peace and Social Cohesion is under track 2 of the National Government’s Peace and Development Framework implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which is to undertake programs aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict through provision of community infrastructure projects. These projects are identified the residents themselves, including the poor, the indigenous peoples and every other member of the community through participation in decision-making, planning, implementation and maintenance of said projects. ###LMSM