Rizal is Best CIDSS LGU 

by Evelyn S. Lorenzo, RIO II

RIZAL, KALINGA-The municipality of Rizal, Kalinga is this years top anti-poverty performer in the recently concluded regional search for the best CIDSS LGU garnering the highest rating for program management, convergence of services, community mobilization and localization of the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) program.

According to Regional CIDSS Coordinator Alice Anacio of the social welfare office, local chief executive Marcelo dela Cruz actively steers the municipality inter-agency committee to share in the cost of development activities scheduled by the target barangays of Santor, Kinama and San Francisco.

Although the LGU's share is mostly in terms of technical assistance, priority projects in the community manage to get cuts from the municipal budget despite limited resources.

Further, community mobilization is evident with people's organizations and local community leaders taking responsibility in carrying out projects that will respond to pressing unmet basic needs.

"CIDSS implementation in Rizal is barely two years old yet achievements resulting from the partnership of the community and the local government unit are almost at par with those that were covered by the program much earlier", Anacio elaborated.

The search which is an annual activity to recognize poverty alleviation efforts of target communities and local government units, was conducted by the CIDSS regional inter-agency committee composed of representatives from the social welfare, health, education and interior and local government offices.

Rizal will receive a cash prize of Ps. 300,000.00 expected to be used to replicate the CIDSS in other barangays.

For More Information Contact:

CIDSS-CAR
40 North Drive, Baguio City
Tel: (063) 074-442-8619
FAX: (063) 074-442-7917
E-mail: [email protected]