PAGADIAN CITY,  ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (January 28, 2026)— Taking a decisive step toward safeguarding communities against the escalating threats of climate change, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IX and the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Zamboanga del Sur officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 27, 2026, to implement the DSWD Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS)  Philippine Community Resilience Program (PCRP).

The ceremonial signing, held at the Office of the Provincial Governor, was led by DSWD Regional Director Riduan P. Hadjimuddin, CESO III, and Provincial Governor Divina Grace C. Yu. The event was witnessed by key officials including  Midsalip Municipal Mayor Elmer M. Soronio, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager (DRPM) Maibel O. Bermejo, and Social Development Unit head CDO IV Vicente Noay Jr.

The PCRP, also known as Panahon ng Pagkilos, is the successor initiative to the long-standing KALAHI-CIDSS program. While it maintains the core “Community-Driven Development” (CDD) approach—where residents themselves identify and manage local projects—the PCRP introduces a specialized focus on climate resilience.

The program is designed to empower local residents to plan and implement infrastructure and social projects that specifically mitigate the adverse effects of shifting weather patterns, such as floods, droughts, and intensified typhoons.

Under the signed agreement, 15 municipalities across Zamboanga del Sur have been identified as implementation sites. These areas were selected based on their vulnerability to environmental hazards and poverty incidence. The participating municipalities include; San Pablo, Midsalip, Bayog, Dimataling, Dinas, Dumingag, Guipos, Kumalarang, Lakewood, Lapuyan, Margosatubig, Pitogo, Suminot, Tigbao and Vincenzo Sagun.

The MOA outlines several critical commitments from both parties to ensure the program’s success:

Direct Community Grants: DSWD will provide funding directly to community accounts for climate-resilient sub-projects, such as flood control systems, solar-powered water systems, and disaster-ready community centers.

Local Counterpart Contribution: The PLGU and respective Municipal LGUs are committed to providing a 20% local counterpart contribution (in cash or in-kind) to foster local ownership and sustainability.

Capacity Building: DSWD will provide technical assistance and training to local officials and community volunteers to improve their skills in participatory resilience planning.

Transparency and Accountability: Both parties agreed to strict monitoring protocols to ensure that funds are used exclusively for community-identified priorities and that project implementation remains transparent to the public.

The signing of MOA, establishes a formal roadmap for local climate action, this milestone agreement sets the stage for 15 partner municipalities to mobilize dedicated technical working groups responsible for crafting comprehensive provincial and municipal resilience plans. This collaborative planning phase is a crucial final step toward operationalizing the Philippine Community Resilience Program (PCRP), ensuring that future infrastructure and social interventions are not only community-led but scientifically informed and strategically aligned to protect Zamboanga del Sur’s most vulnerable sectors from the long-term risks of a changing environment. (drar)