BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera  s recognized   the Best Regional Community Volunteers for the implementation of the KALAHI CIDSS Program during the LGU Forum and BAYANi Ka Awards at the Newtown Plaza Hotel here on October 12.

The KALAHI CIDSS or Kapit – Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services has been championing community driven development for over 15 years.

For the BAYANi Ka awards, adjudged the Best Community Volunteer – Individual Category is Delfina Molina of Malibcong, Abra.  First runner -up is Antonette Pindusan of Sadanga, Mountain Province and second runner – up is Mary Del-isen of Besao. also in Mountain Province.

Seven nominees were also given recognition namely: Andrea Florendo and Fredelino Calwing from Malibcong, Abra; Andy Gawiyon of Lubuagan, Kalinga; Rudy Law – agey of Besao and Rhoda Paladino of Tadian, Mountain Province; and Erlinda Monchalog and Dingoy Buatna of Aguinaldo, Ifugao.

The top three awardees received certificate of recognition and cash prize of P8, 000, P7, 000 and P6, 000, respectively. The other nominees also got certificate of recognition and P5, 000 each.

For the Group Category, the Best Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group, winner is Suquib, Besao; Advocate for Environmental Protection- Sadanga Cultural Care and Environment Inc.; Advocate for Gender and Development- Barangay Lingay in Kiangan, Ifugao; and Advocate for Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices- Barangay Tuplac, Kiangan.   

DSWD – CAR Regional Director Leo Quintilla expressed gratitude to the KALAHI – CIDSS community volunteers for their selfless commitment and dedication for the successful implementation of the program.

“For our volunteers, it is my pleasure to be standing in front of the great men and women of our communities here in Cordillera. Kami sa DSWD ay laging nagpapasalamat sa inyo commitment and dedication to KALAHI CIDSS program”, Quintilla stressed.

Molina, in her response message, expressed gratitude to the DSWD and the KALAHI – CIDSS program.

 “Maraming salamat. Sa ngalan po ng aming barangay, kami ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga magagandang projects na hatid po ng KALAHI CIDSS sa amin. Na sobrang nakakatulong po at napapakinabangan ng mga mamamayan sa amin,” Molina said. 

 Under the KALAHI – CIDSS program, there are 50,561 community volunteers trained and empowered in the CDD process and from 2003 to 2020, there are 1,585 sub – projects funded involving basic social services, basic access infrastructures, community production, economic support and common service facilities, environmental protection and conservation, and skills training and capacity building, among others.(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)