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Residents identify priority projects for KALAHI-CIDSS funding
New Washington, Aklan- Residents of Barangay Mataphao in New Washington, Aklan, have taken an active role in identifying key projects eligible for KALAHI-CIDSS funding.
This initiative occurred during the KALAHI-CIDSS Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA), which aimed to address local needs through community-driven development strategies.
Area Coordinator Marlou Salido noted that the community identified several small-scale projects, including constructing a standard-sized day care center, concrete road improvements, a drainage system, and an additional classroom.
The PSA aims to enhance community involvement in evaluating local issues and coordinating solutions with larger development efforts.
The assessment was conducted at the Mataphao covered court, with community members collaborating in groups from four sitios: Tabiling, Sapa, Centro, and Kalimbaongan.
Residents of Sitio Tabiling highlighted the need for a daycare center to create a supportive learning environment for 26 children in early childhood education.
In Sitio Sapa, the focus was on improving roads, as the current unpaved conditions hinder access to markets and schools, especially during rainy weather.
A concrete road would facilitate school attendance and improve the transport of local products to market, increasing residents’ incomes.
Meanwhile, Sitio Centroโs 72 households expressed their priority for a drainage system to mitigate flooding, while residents from Sitio Sapa also indicated a pressing need for additional classrooms due to overcrowding in existing facilities in Don Basilio Refundo Memorial School.
The community also agreed that the needs of Sitio Kalimbaongan be referred to a different national government agency for funding.
Salido emphasized that the PSA process encourages inclusive and participatory planning, helping to prioritize community issues and align proposed solutions with established barangay development plans.
The process involved volunteers from various sitios conducting assessments and consolidating their findings.
They collaborated with the Area Coordinating Team and the Municipal Coordinating Team to validate the community’s needs before selecting the top three priority projects.
This thorough methodology ensures that development initiatives accurately reflect the priorities and challenges faced by the community, she explained.
Meanwhile, Analyn Salvador, a dedicated community volunteer and chair of the PSA Team, expressed her admiration for the KALAHI-CIDSS process, noting that it facilitates a thorough step-by-step approach to identifying proposed projects.
She emphasized that this method significantly aids the community in pinpointing their most pressing needs.
Salvador highlighted the community’s enthusiasm for the proposed construction of a daycare center, expressing hope that it would receive unanimous support from residents.
The community members are eager to contribute to the realization of this prioritized project and are committed to working together to secure KALAHI-CIDSS funding for its implementation, she said.
This collaborative spirit reflects a strong sense of community engagement and determination to improve local services for families./dswd/MMC
Photos by: CEF Roniel Cabading
