Annabelle C. Neri, 43, and Lorena A. Codilla, 40, are among the members of “Rewasa” which stands for Rebokon Water-System Association, a group that manages water-system project they had as volunteers of Kalahi in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

When asked about what and how much they know of DSWD services then, they all gave the same response limited to just child/dren’s care and assistance. Little did they know of the various programs and services that the department is offering until Kalahi-CIDSS was introduced in barangay Rebokon on 2013.

Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi – CIDSS) is one of the three core programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It uses the CDD strategy to empower ordinary citizens to actively and directly participate in local governance of identifying their own community needs, planning, implementing and monitoring projects together to address local poverty issues.

At first they thought Kalahi-CIDSS was an entirely different program apart from the department, but soon after they were made to understand what the program is all about to include its processes, they’re glad to find out that they will be participating.

Although a little hesitant they were at the start, not knowing what to expect with the roles given to them by their fellow volunteers, but instead they focus on what they could benefit out of joining the program as a community.

Annabelle, a teacher by profession, found her way in Kalahi-CIDSS program and now the association’s president. She recalled how much hardwork they’ve been through while campaigning for their sub-project which later led to an eventual prioritization.

“Tanan nga pakiluoy, pakiusap sa kanila na sana iboto nila kami, kay dito wala kaming tubig. Lisud baya ang tubig sa una, magpila pa para makatubig”, she related.

(We appealed to them to vote for us, because we hardly have water around, we need to get in line to fetch some).
The community saw the need to an improve access to safe water especially during rainy season when the water source is hardly clear. What makes it all the more difficult for them is that they have to wake up at dawn to secure gallons of water to avoid other inconveniences.

Despite the struggles in transporting the materials to the area, their sub-project was completed by 2013.
Lorena, who used to run a small-time “carenderia”, for additional income since farming alone could not suffice their daily needs, later joined the program after she heard it from her husband who is also a volunteer.

She could have focused her attention to their small eatery house but she couldn’t let their efforts go to waste. She felt that she could do a difference by taking on the role as the association treasurer, she wanted to make sure that the recording is accurately done.

Admittedly though, she lacks confidence in pursuing a career due to her right-eye condition but she had worked as bookkeeper then during college. But she has overcome her insecurities and regained confidence after volunteering for Kalahi-CIDSS. She said this is one of the legacies that she could leave the community, that she could be remembered for her work ethics especially in keeping accurate recording for their association.

Thus the intention of charging installation fees for water supply and collection per gallon was primarily for operations and maintenance purposes.

With an increase in income, they were able to allot allowance of 1000 each monthly for four plumbers who monitor water supply, leaking and other necessary repairs. They also conducts monthly meeting for income updates since they were provided space by the barangay officials to convene.

Both Annabelle and Lorena were glad that such services of the department came, “apil man diay ning Kalahi sa DSWD, mas maayo man, maguba ang among tubig sa una, tagtulo, tagduha ka adlaw dili moagas… karun maguba aron, dili muagas mga pila lang kaoras kay naa na mag maintain, magtinabangay man”.

(It’s good that Kalahi is a part of DSWD. Before it would take us three or two days to repair when we encounter problem with the water stand, but now it take us only hours to repair since there is someone’s incharge of the maintenance and everyone would help out).

Today “Rewasa” has been servicing to 6 out of the 11 puroks within Rebokon. ###

“Gusto ko talaga tong Electrical Installation and Maintenance course, kaning opportunity duol pod sa among barangay. Dili ingon nga mag transportation pa ka. Nindot kaayo.” Said Hipolito F. Caballero, Jr during an interview after he confidently marched on his graduation ceremony last April 6, 2017 in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Hipolito is one of the 880 graduates who took the skills training course under Electrical Installation and Maintenance. He underwent community-based training in Electrical Installation and Maintenance National Certificate II (NC II).

Hipolito, 24 years old is the fifth child among the nine children of his parents, Andresa and Hipolito, Sr. The family has been a member of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since 2014.

His parents and siblings fondly call him “Sunog”. But behind the nickname was a tragic experience. He was 6 months old then when their house got burned. The fire easily spread and razed their dwelling that is made in bamboo and cogon roof. The sudden incident unfortunately caused his disability.

Today, being a person with disability (PWD), he wholeheartedly pushed himself to be a significant inspiration to many. His disability won’t stop his dream, he said.

“Lisod man sa akong kaugalingon ako lang gikaya. Akong huna2 man good dili kay ingon nga disable ko. Akoang I kompleto jud kay kaya man nako ang buhaton sa uban.”

Hipolito is not only a NC II holder, but also a graduate of Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at Western Mindanao State University- Pagadian City campus last 2015. He was able to finish his studies through the combined efforts of his family, and other siblings. A lot of effort, hard work and sacrifice were his ticket to finish school.

Life was not easy for his family back when he was younger. He used to accompany his father in farming. “magtanom mi og mais, maghakot og lubi, mamasa ug baboy nga pambukid nga trabaho.”

The reason to double up their effort was a challenge to sustain their daily expenses. Their neighbours used to pay for the services to transport coconuts. He earns 250-300 pesos for 1,000 pieces of transported coconut. Though this has not been a regular work, but true enough, this helped their family.

If not transporting coconuts or farming, he proudly shared that he also accepts document encoding. Being a computer literate, he gets paid for 20 pesos per page. The highest earning he got so far was 150.00 pesos. He works in a nearby internet café since he does not own a personal computer. He dreamed someday to have his own so he can use it for future income generating activities.

Having two certificates, he is more confident to face life’s challenges. He sets his mind to do everything in his power, and perseverance to achieve his dreams in giving his family a good life and stable income.

Being a disable will never stop Hipolito from doing his best, in fact this enabled him to realize that his situation will not define his capabilities.

“kanang parehas nako nga PWD, dili nato hindrance kung unsa ta, dili nato itago kung unsa ta. Dapat ipakita nato nga kabalo ta nga kaya nato. Mag pursigi gyud ug eskwela para naay learnings kay kana jud ang importante sa atong kinabuhi.”

Hipolito expressed his grateful thanks to the Technical and Vocational Institute and Department of Social Welfare and Development who assisted and helped him avail the said training.

“Akong dakong pasalamat sa 1ANDALL Technical School, dako nakong pasalamat kay kining opportunity nga nahatag sa atong Zamboanga del Sur, dako jud katabang isip di lang ako nga PWD, sa tanan, mahibal.an pod nila nga magamit sa ilang pangkinabuhi.”

“Sa DSWD, Department of Social Welfare and Development, dako pod jud kaayo akong pasalamat nila nga ni appoint pod sila nga niani nga vocational nga gihatag diri sa among lungsod, Dako kaayo akong pasalamat.”

Now that Hipolito is an NC II holder he has more opportunities to earn extra income through electrical repair. He earns around five hundred (500) pesos per repair made.###

In barangay Guilawa, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, a small family struggles to get through every day. Maribel Emia Abanggan and her husband, Andrewnilo, try to exhaust every possible means to provide for their family, especially for their two children. Andrewnilo works for a copra farm, while Maribel stays at home to care for their children. In her free time, and whenever possible, she sells snacks, like peanuts and “butbot”, at a nearby public school.

In 2010, a census was held in their barangay. During the census, families were interviewed about their way of living and how much they needed help. Those families, who will qualify, will later on become possible beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. This, was a very significant opportunity for the Abanggan family, to be able to possibly uplift their lives. Unfortunately, Maribel was not able to attend because she was out trying to make a living. Luckily, when she got home, her concerned neighbours informed her about what had happened. She rushed after the personnel who conducted the census, and was fortunate enough to catch up with them at the next barangay, in Dansulaw. She eventually was able to speak to their head, and asked that she be interviewed. She was told that the team was scheduled to return to their barangay, to cater to those who were not available during their first visit. Soon enough, she was interviewed.
 Several months have passed and life went on like it used to. Maribel no longer expected that she was going to qualify as a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4 P’s) beneficiary. But just as hope was almost lost, she was informed that she now, is a beneficiary of 4 P’s and was later named as a Parent Leader.

After several years, in 2013, microenterprise development was introduced to their community by DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program. After meetings and assessments, their community was approved to be participants. Abangga together with one hundred forty nine (149) members decided to pursue poultry production. Members immediately looked for an area where they can build their farm. They were lucky enough that their president was able to find a place and was able to convince the owner to give them permission to use the place and start construction.

It was on April of 2015 when they received their starter kit. They were given 1,000 egg-laying hens, limestone, cages, feeds, vitamins as well as hoses and pumps for their operation.

In their first harvest, they were able to collect 315 eggs. Today, however, they can harvest as many as 820-830 eggs a day. This quantity is equivalent to roughly 4,000 pesos, but may vary depending on the size of the eggs produced. They regularly make around 26,000 pesos a month after deducting necessary expenses like, feeds, vitamins, caretaker’s salary and other operating expenses. Among the needs of the farm, Abanggan ensures that they have enough vitamins for their hens, so that their egg productions will never have to be delayed.

Apart from the income they receive from the eggs they sell, they also sold chicken droppings gathered from their farm. They sold the dried droppings for 130-150 pesos per sack to customers who used them as fertilizers for their farms and gardens. This was a small, but very significant addition to their monthly income. Since gathering and drying of the droppings was not an easy task, the caretakers received extra compensation and a share of the income collected from the droppings’ sales.

As production and operation of this project was doing well, Abanggan eventually stopped selling snacks at the school. Instead, she bought eggs from their own farm for their regular price, and sold them elsewhere with a slightly higher price. The money she acquired from the sales, she used to cover for their daily expenses. Through her hardwork and persistence, things, especially financially, became a lot better for her and her family. Abanggan is currently the group’s treasurer.

“Para sa akoa ma’am maingon nako nga mas, mas, mas okay karon kaysa sa una. Sa una nga mangita pa ka, ug unsa angay nga ibaligya nga anang adlawa makabaligya ka o sunod adlaw kay para naa kay income. So karon, sa akoa gyud, sa pagkakaron dako gyud syang kalainan. Kay sure naman kada adlaw naay produkto ang manok so didto nako mokuha aniya, makaginansya.”

“Akoang ika istorya sa DSWD o sa SLP, daghang kaayong salamat sa inyuhang pagsupport sa brgy. namo. Daghang salamat sa inyuhang pagsuporta namo na mga pobre, sana kanang kung kame natabangan ninyu naa pay laing mga barangay nga gakinahanglan sa tabang pod. Sana tanang barangay sa lungsod sa Malangas inyuha pang suportahan.” – Maribel Emia Abanggan

“For me, I can really say my life is a lot better than how it was before. In the past, we had to think of what we could sell for the day, or what else we could sell for the next day, just to acquire income. Now, I can say that it is totally different, because we are now sure that we can profit from the eggs produced by the hens.”

“What I can say to DSWD or SLP is, thank you for the support you have given to our barangay, thank you for supporting poor like us. I hope that as much as you helped us, you may be able to help other barangays who are in need of your help, I hope you may be able to support all of the barangays here in Malangas.”###Bernely Sheilaine Nemil

Alvin Patano was born to a very simple family. Alvin is 37 years old and her husband Arnel is 39. They have 3 children, Arnel Jr. (13 years old), Vinrachi (9 years old), and Shadee Drex (7 years old).

Life for the family was not easy, Alvin was unemployed and dedicated herself to taking care of the family. She didn’t have any source of financial help, while Arnel her husband, was only a “habal-habal” driver.   Even being a “habal-habal” driver, Arnel was not able to earn enough for the family, because there were too many drivers in the area, and only very few passengers to cater to. The only other financial help they have, was a part-time and small time business that Arnel held on to. Arnel took extra effort to buy chicharon products from Zamboanga City and delivered them to his customers. Even this was not enough to get their children to school.

In 2012, Alvin became an SLP participant. She also volunteered for KALAHI-CIDDS, and thought

that this is a way to make herself more productive. Being a participant, somehow, helped her learn things about business and other ways of livelihood.

When skills training was introduced to them by DSWD worker, she realized that this was going to be an opportunity for her and her family to get through their financial difficulties. She immediately proposed that chicharon would be a promising product for their group. She thought that instead of buying chicharon from Zamboanga, why not produce their own chicharon. This seemed to be a good idea, because she already had knowledge about how chicharon is done. This too was not easy since a number of their group’s members were hesitant about the idea, and it looked like she was not getting full support from the group.

Alvin, being positive about the idea, still pushed for the proposal, she also worked and eventually managed to convince members to support her. Fortunately for her and the group, the proposal was approved.

Eventually, the proposed project turned from a dream and slowly became a reality. On the 9^th of November of 2015, their chicharon production opened and operation began. They named their business TIPABECPA, which means Tiayon Pantawid Beef Chicharon Producers Association, they started with 86 members, and Alvin became one of the Board of Directors.

When Production started, the group bought 55 to 150 kilos of raw beef skin from the local market of Zamboanga. They clean them well, cut them into desired sizes and cooked the beef skin. There are 3 different stages in cooking, they blanche the raw skin for 8 hours until they become tender, then the skin get seasoned and left   overnight. The next day, the seasoned skin is deep fried, left cool and then packed. Each kilo of beef skin costs ₱55 pesos and produces 20 to 25 packs of cooked chicharon. Each pack sells for ₱4.50, and the group earns not less than ₱10,000 per production. All of the group’s members help in the production while Alvin’s husband, Arnel, delivers their products to their regular customers, who purchase wholesale from them. Some of the other members also sell their products in retail.

However, like any other small time and starting business, struggles are always present. After doing good for several months, sales started to go down, and disposal of products became slow. To add to the trouble, raw beef skin also became scarce. But the group’s positive thinking helped them get back to their feet, they tried a new marketing strategy and soon enough, things were back on track.

TIPABECPAS’s Chicharon eventually reached the shelves of the stores in Zamboanga City and other neighboring areas. The group is convinced that together with Ipil’s fast developing phase, their chicharon will also be known to a wider market.

Today, Alvin and the group believe that this project helped them so much, that they are now able to provide for their family’s needs, “Sauna maglisud jud mi kay usahay mag absent pa akong anak, maglisud pa kanang inadlaw ba, sa pamasahe. Pero karon naa na jud mi makuhaan nga makahatag jud mi sa amoang mga anak ug pangpag adlaw-adlaw nga pangkaon.” (In the past, it was difficult for us to send our children to school and sometimes they have to be absent in class because we could not provide them their fare. But now, we already have a source to pay for our children’s daily expenses, especially for food.) Alvin added.

During an interview with Alvin, saying “thank you” never felt enough for her. As she shared her story, she was genuinely smiling as she was saying “Nagpasalamat jud kaayo ko ani nga project kay tungud niani, dili lang ni sa amoa, kun dili sa amoang miembro pod uban nga kursunada pod kaayo makahatag kini sa ilahang dugang income. Salamat.” (I am very thankful because this project has helped augment our family’s and other interested members’ income. Thank you.)###

Written by:
Bernely Sheilaine L. Nemil

Life in Barangay Pisa-Puti is simple. Locals’ source of income majority comes from farming.

Amud Yamid, 21 and Walid Tangkian, 20, both grew up in Pisa-Puti and were raised by their parents through farming.

Most of the farm area was located uphill, this is why Amud Yamid lives with his two cousins while his father is taking his time out in the farm for most of the time and would only come home when the harvest reach its fruition.

The same also with Walid, his father would also stay out in the farm together with his brothers while he has to look after his mother and wife and his two-year old child.

Since most of the residents were located at the low-land area, and the municipality is a coastal one, come rainy season, they would experience difficulty in crossing some areas within the barangay proper to their farm.

“Iyong nakita nyo na ilog diyan, kapag umuulan ng malakas, umaakyat iyong tubig ay hirap nang makatawid”, Amud explained. (If you have noticed the river right there, when it rain so hard and the water get high, then it cannot be crossed.)

For people who would dare to cross will have to face the hard way. As Amud shared “lumalangoy kami kapag mataas ang tubig, kapag may baha. Tapos kapag naman bumabaha na, iyong iba, mga matatanda na galing sa bukid, hindi na sila nakakatawid”.

(We swim our way to the other side when the water gets too high, when there’s flood. And when it’s flooded, the rest especially the elders who come home from farm will no longer cross.)

This scenarios has been frequent for the people who live in Pisa-Puti, that’s why when they were called to a barangay assembly, they never hesitated to join.

“Noong nagpatawag na ng meeting at nagsasabi na sila kung ano iyong gustong gawin namin, iyon naisipan namin na kailangan talaga ang hanging bridge na project sa amin dito naninirahan para kung mag-ulan, magbaha may madaanan”, Amud said. (When they called a meeting and then everyonediscussing what they wanted to propose, we felt the need to put up a hanging bridge as our sub-project so when it rains, comes flood, we can still cross.)

Walid Tangkian also shared “Sa dalas ng ulan dito, may namatay na nga diyan noong minsan nag-overflow ang tubig sa ilog. Kaya kailangan talaga namin nito”. (Rain occurs most often around here, and it has caused the death of someone during the time when the water in the river overflowed. And this is why we needed this thing up).

The clamor for a hanging bridge was then realized through Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA. Built on April 18, 2015 was completed by September 8, 2015, the sub-project has been accessible not just to the people of Barangay Pisa-Puti, but to its neighboring barangay as well.

The construction of the hanging bridge sub-project has been a big help to community, while rain has been a frequent visitor and flood still get in the way, but people anytime of the day can pass through no matter the weather. And they will no longer get stranded whenever they would go uphill to farm or would bring farm products to home.

Although they’re both too hesitant to talk more on their experiences but they were genuinely happy with having been part with the realization of the sub-project. As Amud expressed, “ang masasabi ko lang salamat talaga kasi may ganitong project binibigay ang DSWD. Kailangan na kailangan namin dito, hindi naman siya basta basta ilalagay dito kung di siya makakatulong”.

(I am thankful to DSWD for it was a big help to us here for giving this kind of project. We badly needed this here. It wouldn’t be built here if it wasn’t helpful).

“Hindi na kame mahirapan pumunta sa bukid kapag bumabaha, mabuti na rin iyon kasi may dumating na proyekto na makakatulong sa mga tao. Para sa akin, nakatulong na rin sa barangay”, Walid added. (We wouldn’t be struggling to go to farm despite the flood, it is really good to have a project that is able to help people. For me, it’s more of helping our barangay).

PAMANA is the Phiippines Government’s program and framework for peace and development. It follows a CDD approach where it allows to put power back in the hands of the people by giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions on locally identified options for develop and manage resources to implement sub-projects that address needs identified by communities themselves.#

Sandayong and Jerry Libulong had a history together. Born at a time when Sandayong was formally became a Barangay, the thirty-five year old Subanen knew every single corner of this village and so with the needs for basic services in their community.

Located 26 kilometers away from the municipal proper, Sandayong is the farthest barangay in the Municipality of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay. An uphill village composed of 95% Subanen people and can only be reached through motorcycle or locally known as “habal-habal”.

Farming has been the primary source of living for Jerry and the rest of the people of Sandayong. Occasionally, they would bring farm products downtown, but for most they would store it for supply.

Before Jerry became an active volunteer, he had doubts on joining the program, thinking “Hindi pa kami sanay sa ganitong mga activities. Sa opinion ko lang, parang impossible talaga dahil sa laki ng proyektong pinag-uusapan”, (We are not used to these kinds of activities. In my opinion, it seems impossible considering the volume of the projects being discussed).

Aside from these, they (Subanen) were reluctant to participate in any of the government initiated activities.

But this has caught Jerry’s attention, the reason why he volunteered to join Kalahi-CIDSS was because of their problem with water.

Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan –Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services  (Kalahi-CIDSS) employs community-driven development (CDD) strategy that gives people power to decide for their community in ensuring that their needs are addressed and empowering them to become active citizens of the country.

He sees this as an opportunity to give his Subanen brothers access to safe drinking water. And his sense of commitment motivated the people to reach out to the program as well. Unfortunately it didn’t pass the potability test and instead they swapped their sub-project to school building in time for the MIBF.

Jerry Libulong only managed to finish high school and this is the why they opted to build school building for the Subanen kids in the village. Since most of their students would attend school at distant barangays.

One of the most active volunteers of Sandayong, he had held two positions, the BRT Chairperson and Procurement Team Chairperson. He exercised leadership in the entire process of mobilizing community members in community problem analysis, project development and project monitoring. In a number of times, he had dipped his hands in actual labor work in the construction of barangay Sandayong’s sub-projects.

Under Jerry’s leadership, Barangay Sandayong clinched the top spot in both the 1^st and 2^nd cycle MIBF-prioritized list of sub-projects, with its  1-Unit 2-Classroom Elementary School Building and 1-Unit 3-Classroom High School Building, respectively.

In addition to these, Barangay Sandayong had also breezed through the implementation of 3 KC-PAMANA sub-projects, namely Community Security Outpost, Balay Husayanan (House of Tribal Justice) and Tribal Hall – community-initiated projects that are designed to promote local security, participation and general well-being of the Subanen indigenous people that Jerry, a Subanen, represents in many forums.

He is also an eloquent public speaker. As a volunteer, he has done project proposals, sub-project monitoring, procurement and community mobilization – making him an all-around volunteer.

Although it was really challenging on their part, he admitted “Mahirap siya para sa mga katulad naming volunteers na karamihan ay hindi nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Mahirap lalo na pagdating sa paperworks. Pero gaano man iyon kahirap, kung i-rate natin ang programa ng Kalahi-CIDSS, anumang paghihirap ang maencounter ng mga volunteers, iyong rating natin ay excellent pa rin kasi tatayo ang project natin, talagang hindi pwedeng hindi matapos, kung may problema man pilit hinahanapan ng solusyon, kasi part yan ng training”.

(It is really hard for volunteers like us who didn’t finish their studies. It is really difficult when it comes to paperworks. But no matter how hard it is if we are to rate the program of Kalahi-CIDSS, whatever hardships that we may have encounter, we’ll still rate it as excellent because the project will stand, it cannot be left undone, and if there maybe problems, we will try to find a solution because that is part of the training).

He also expressed how valuable were the sub-projects of the other modality like KC-PAMANA,”Doon nga sa tribal learning center/tribal hall na iyon, parang nanumbalik doon ang relasyon ng lumad sa gobyerno natin na meron pala”. (With the Tribal Learning Center/Tribal Hall, it rekindles the relationship of the Lumads to the government which they once had).

And through the tribal learning center, he believes it has once again lifted the culture of the Subanen Indigenous People.

More so, he was thankful for the experiences he had while journeying together with the program. He confidently responded “Sa sarili ko, iyong kakayahan ko ay mas naenhanced, nadeveloped iyon, nagkaroon ako ng kaalaman sa technical. Kahit ngayon kung i-actual mo ko pagawan ng porma ng building, kaya ko ngayon. Kung kinakailangan na tayo ang magprepare ng mga papers, kaya na”.

(Personally, my capability was enhanced, developed, I have gained technical knowledge. If you’ll ask me to create an actual building form, I can do it right here, right now. If there’s a need for me to prepare the papers, it’s manageable).

Jerry also provided detailed changes with his community. With the coming of Kalahi-CIDSS in Barangay Sandayong, what used to be a threat in their security for being a former camp of the lawless elements, has now been neutralized with the construction of the Community Security Outpost.

“Kung dati-rati may mga alitan sa mga kapit-bahay, walang office ang barangay kung saan i-hold iyong sinasabi nilang amicable settlement. So ngayon, meron na. Dahil meron na tayong Barangay Justice Hall”, (Whenever there used to be trouble in the neighborhood, there’s no office in the barangay that holds settlement. Now we had a place for it, we now have the Barangay Justice Hall).

With great pride he gladly shared “Kung dati-rati marinig mo lang na Subanen ang nakatira diyan, ngayon may identification na ang Subanen people sa Barangay Sandayong kasi nakatayo na iyong Tribal Learning Center natin. Ito iyong nagiging landmark, nagpaalala sa mga Lumad, sa lahat ng mga tao sa Sandayong na nandito itong tribal center dahil Subanen ang nakatira dito. Ito ang mga pagbabago dito sa barangay naming, napakalaking empowerment para sa mga kapatid namin na mga Subanen”.

(They would just hear about Subanen living in this village, but now we have imprinted our identification as Subanen Indigenous People of Barangay Sandayong because here stood our Tribal Learning Center. This has been a landmark that reminds the Lumads, and all the people of Sandayong that here stands a Tribal Learning Center because Subanen people lives here. These have been the changes in the barangay, great empowerment for my Subanen brothers).

And above all, they were grateful to the program for realizing the construction of school building. For paying attention to their problem on education, this has given the Subanen children the opportunity to become competent. “Dahil sa Kalahi-CIDSS ang pangarap ng Subanen ay naisakatuparan din”, Jerry ended. (Because of Kalahi-CIDSS, Subanen’s dream has been realized).

The Subanen Indigenous People of Sandayong who used to be so hesitant and passive has now become participative and responsive in both government and non-government affairs. They have become assertive in advancing their welfare by way of community participation not limited to Kalahi-CIDSS program alone. #

“Pakiglambigit Alang Sa Kalambuan”… A larger-than-life picture of projects and plans for the people of Sindangan was presented during the conduct of the 2016 Municipal Talakayan in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Nagsara man ang pinto ng oportunidad para sa amin nang magkaroon ng giyera sa Zamboanga, nagbukas naman ang isang mas magandang oportunidad para sa amin nang mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na pag-aralin ng DSWD at CSWDO.” said Alseyd Jauhari, one of the IDPs who graduated from OLT Institute on Monday.

Alseyd, a resident of Mariki, Zamboanga City was one of the thousands who were heavily affected by the infamous Zamboanga Siege last September 2013. He used to work as a freelancer in local firms in Zamboanga. But due to lack of formal training, he could hardly get a stable job. That is why when he was offered to undergo a skills training by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, he immediately grabbed it, though he was anxious and hesitant at first.

In May 2016, some 71 Internally Displaced Persons in Zamboanga were sent to Ozamis City by the City Social Welfare and Development Office through the funding of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office IX. The IDPs had undergone training in vocational courses such as Housekeeping, Masonry, Carpentry, Cooking, Baking, among others, in two months.

One of the DSWD scholars who have been enrolled in carpentry shared their learning experiences during their 2-month stay with the Our Lady of Triumph Institute Technology, Inc., a training facility in Ozamis City that offers world-class training amenities that ensure to produce job ready trainees and skilled manpower in both domestic and overseas work places.

“Swerte kami kasi napabilang kami sa mga scholars. Tinuruan kami dito para makakuha kami ng mas magandang trabaho.”

Through the Disaster Rehabilitation Fund of DSWD which amounted to Php212,000.00, the first batch of identified IDPs were not only provided with skills training, but were also given food and shelter to cope up with their daily needs.

After the 2-month training, 71 IDPs have successfully completed their chosen tech-voc courses such as masonry, carpentry, housekeeping and cookery and baking. On July 10, a graduation ceremony was held where they were conferred with certificates of completion. The fifty five (55) masonry graduates were immediately engaged into a Contract Signing with one of the biggest construction firms in the Philippines. They are scheduled to leave for Manila on July 13 for job placement in Manila.

Present during the graduation rites were DSWD IX Asst. Regional Director for Operations Consejo Usman, Zamboanga City Local Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Socorro Rojas, OLT Executives Mr. and Mrs. Galileo Maglasang, TESDA and DOLE Regional Officials and DSWD X staff.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the interest and the sacrifices of the participants. They always have to remember that they are the ones who should really work on the change that they want to achieve. The government and other partners are only here to facilitate. And we hope with the skills that you now have, you can build a better future for yourself and your family.” Usman said in her inspirational message.

Another batch of Zambo IDPs is also scheduled to undergo the same skills training in the coming months.