The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disbursed a total of PHP2.6 billion for over 3,000 community sub-projects completed in Central Visayas from 2014 to date.

Shalaine Marie Lucero, regional director of DSWD-7 (Central Visayas), said 3,727 projects were undertaken by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program in the four provinces of the region.

The community-driven development and sustainability program implemented 1,578 projects in Cebu province; 1,337 in Bohol; 665 in Negros Oriental; and 147 in Siquijor.

In a bid to deliver more projects to be run by the residents themselves, DSWD-7 recently held a three-day Community Volunteers Congress and Bayani Ka! Awards 2024 here.

Lucero said 290 participants who are implementing KALAHI-CIDSS joined the activity, which assessed the program’s gaps and challenges, and built skills through indoor and outdoor activities.

“We should inspire other community volunteers to continuously promote community-driven development principles of participation, transparency and accountability,” she said. (PNA)