The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) have joined hands to improve the implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

This, after DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and LMP national president Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos of La Paz, Abra met and discussed the government’s poverty alleviation program at the DSWD head office in Quezon City on Tuesday.

In a news release, the DSWD said Gatchalian and Bernos have “meaningful discussion on various areas of collaboration” and pledged support in cascading the retooling made for KALAHI-CIDSS, especially with the local chief executives.

KALAHI-CIDSS program earlier underwent a collaborative and consultative retooling to ensure a more responsive implementation of community-driven development that is able to adapt with the changing context and needs of beneficiaries.

With the proper coordination between the DSWD and the local government units (LGUs) through the LMP, the application of the new tools is guaranteed to be more efficient and favorable to the recipients of the program.

KALAHI-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that is being implemented by the DSWD.

The program uses a community-driven development approach, a globally recognized strategy for achieving service delivery, poverty reduction and good governance outcomes. (PNA)