Through Community-Driven Development (CDD), Indigenous Peoples (IPs) have the opportunity to impart their skills and knowledge in creating change in their communities.
Because the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapahan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS) extensively upholds strengthening of inclusive participation, there are already 1,950 IP community volunteers across Bicol Region as of September 28, 2022.
One of the IP community volunteers is Genalyn Sanchez, a 36-year-old mother of the Manide Tribe in Barangay Guisican, Labo, Camarines Norte. During the construction of two (2) unit reinforced spillway with a grant amounting to ₱3 million from KALAHI-CIDSS, Genalyn worked as a paid laborer in 2016.
Before the program came into their community, Genalyn recalled that most of her fellow tribal members especially the students were struggling to cross the river. When the community was consulted about the implementation of the project funded by the program, she felt elated that one of her dreams will finally come true.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Because of her passion to serve, Genalyn offered to extend her skills as a member of the Project Preparation Team (PPT) under Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Indigenous Peoples – Community-Driven Development (PAMANA IP-CDD) program in 2020.
The PPT is one of the sub-committees of the Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) that assists in the preparation of community proposals which will be recommended for prioritization.
Due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, retrofitting and refurbishing of Triball Hall to be used as Temporary Quarantine Facility for persons with special needs and Indigenous Cultural Communities was identified as a priority project with a grant amounting to ₱ 300,000.00.
Even though Genalyn did not receive any material things from services rendered, she is blessed to be part of the project.
“Para sa akin yung pagiging volunteer ko ay isang napakalaking impact para sa aking sarili kasi doon ko naipakita, naiboses yung talagang nais ng aking kapwa katutubo,” she imparted.
(For me, being a volunteer made a significant impact to me because I have shown and voiced out the aspirations of my fellow tribal members.)
PROGRESS THROUGH ENGAGEMENT
According to Danilo Bequio, Barangay chairperson of Guisican, he prefers community participation as compared to top-down approach of implementing projects.
“Maganda may partisipasyon ang ating komunidad kasi sila yung nag-iidentify ng proyekto tapos marami yung makikinabang,” he affirmed.
(It’s good that there’s participation in the community because they are the ones who identify the projects and many will benefit from it.)
Danilo shared that if the community leads in the implementation of their solutions, they will also have the responsibility to manage and maintain the projects.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating ginagawang pagboboluntaryo para maisagawa yung ninanais na proyekto,” he concluded.
(Let us continue what we are doing as volunteers so we can execute our desired project.)
