47K workers employed for Kalahi-CIDSS projects in Bicol

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 16): 47K workers employed for Kalahi-CIDSS projects in Bicol

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has employed thousands of residents in the Bicol region for the construction of community-managed projects under Kalahi-CIDSS programKapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), a community-driven development (CDD) program aimed to reduce poverty in poor villages.

DSWD Bicol Director Arnel Garcia said some 47,283 workers were employed for construction of at least 1,304 projects in 99 poor municipalities in the region from 2015 to present.

The said projects are constructed to provide basic access infrastructure, basic social services, community production, economic support and common service facilities and environment protection and conservation.

Garcia said the total labor cost amounts to Php97,589,529.00 with each laborer receiving a minimum of Php260.00 depending on the prevailing rate in the locality.

Of the total number of workers, 9,202 are women hired as part of the gender mainstreaming in Kalahi-CIDSS where men and women are given opportunities in labor works. Their labor cost amounts to Php16,105,170.

Furthermore, 37% of the total laborers are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who received a total Php29, 346 629.00 for their salaries.

Necita Mesa of Baao, Camarines Sur, a housewife with three children, was one of the residents who built their access road.

Her colleague who belongs to the Barangay Subproject Management Committee (BSPMC), the community implementer of the Kalahi-CIDSS project in their village, recruited her.

Hiring workers within the community, Garcia added, is an effective strategy to ensure quality workmanship as they themselves are the beneficiaries of the project.

“Hiring workers within the community where projects are being constructed will not only give them additional income but they will also ensure quality workmanship because they themselves are the beneficiaries of these,” Garcia said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571466059258/47k-workers-employed-for-kalahi-cidss-projects-in-bicol