Planting Resilience: Madalag Launches Panahon ng Pagkilos

Madalag, Aklan- Before discussions on resilience began, local leaders, community volunteers, and development workers first planted a symbol of the future they hope to build, one rooted in sustainability, partnership, and community action.

The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Area Coordinating Team (ACT) kicked off the Municipal Orientation on the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) with a tree-planting activity in Barangay Galicia, Madalag, Aklan, in celebration of the 2026 Philippine Arbor Day.

Joined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), members of the KALAHI-CIDSS ACT and Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT) planted trees as part of a commitment-setting activity, highlighting the project’s goal of building communities that are not only disaster-resilient but also environmentally responsible.

The symbolic activity set the tone for the Municipal Orientation that followed, where local officials, barangay leaders, and community volunteers gathered to begin laying the foundation for resilience planning in the municipality.

Leading the local government delegation was Acting Municipal Mayor Orlando I. Inosanto Jr., who expressed the municipality’s full support for the project.

“This event will help make the project more progressive and responsive to our people’s needs,” Inosanto said.

The Regional Program Management Office was represented by Project Evaluation Officer III Lermo Gonzales; PDO III-Environmental Safeguards Mark Jaylord Panim; Community Development Officer III Andro Concepcion, CDO II Evone Pendon; PDO II (Sub-project) Engr. Zenny Villasis Apresurado and PDO II (Knowledge Management Focal) Donna Angelica Estrada.

The orientation brought together representatives from all 25 barangays of Madalag, including Punong Barangays and their designated representatives, along with 15 community volunteers who will play an important role in the implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, PDO III and Area Coordinator Marilee M. Trombini provided an overview of the Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP and emphasized the significance of Madalag’s inclusion in the project.

Out of approximately 800 eligible municipalities nationwide, only 500 were selected as priority sites, with Madalag emerging as one of the chosen municipalities in Aklan.

“It is a big deal that you are here. Your presence shows that the community and local government are ready to work together in making this project successful,” Trombini told participants.

The orientation also served as a venue to clarify project guidelines and participation requirements.

A major highlight of the activity was the presentation of municipal profile data by members of the Municipal Resilience Team (MResT). Discussions covered demographic trends, social welfare conditions, education, health and nutrition, environmental concerns, infrastructure, disaster risks, and peace and order conditions.

The data presentations provided participants with a clearer understanding of the municipality’s strengths, vulnerabilities, and priority concerns, information that will serve as the foundation for future resilience planning and investment decisions under the project.

As the newly planted trees begin to take root, local leaders and community members hope the same will be true for the partnerships and plans forged during the orientation, growing stronger over time and helping build a safer, more resilient future for the people of Madalag. /dswd6/

Written By: WVSU Intern Je-Ann Erio & PDO II Donna Angelica Estrada

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