The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to capacitate localities amid the COVID-19 pandemic through the implementation of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) sub-projects.
On July 14, a groundbreaking event was conducted to commence the construction of a P7.5 million isolation facility in Brgy. Panugnawan, Medellin, Cebu which will serve as an isolation facility for mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
The 200-sq. meters isolation facility will have a six-bed capacity with amenities that are compliant with existing standards to ensure that it will not compromise the people living nearby.
The project was conceptualized using the Disaster Response Operations Modality (DROM) approach of KALAHI-CIDSS which allows communities to shift their operations from regular developmental activities into disaster response.
The ceremony was attended by KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Director Janet P. Armas, DSWD Field Office VII Director Rebecca P. Geamala, Mendellin Mayor Joven J. Mondigo, Jr., other representatives from the KALAHI-CIDSS National and Regional Program Management Office, and barangay officials.
In her message, Director Armas expressed her support for the project. “We break ground for thousands of people who will be spared from the illness, and our work as public servants plays a vital role in the community’s fight against the pandemic,” she said.
Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Juanico Diaz of Panugnawan shared how the isolation facility will be beneficial for the residents of Medellin.
“Garbo alang kanamo nga taga-Panugnawan ang pagpatukod niining isolation facility. Dili lang kay among mga ginsakupan ang makapahimos niini apan apil na pud ang 18 ka mga barangay sa tibuok Medellin (It is a pride for us in Panugnawan to see the construction of this isolation facility. Not only our constituents will benefit from this project but also the other 18 barangays of Medellin),” Diaz said.
Prior to the ceremony, DSWD FO VII also released P500,000 for the KALAHI-CIDSS Cash-for-Work of 279 beneficiaries of Brgy. Curva, also in Mendellin, to help them in their economic recovery amid the pandemic.
Through KALAHI-CIDSS, the DSWD hopes to continue to empower more communities in addressing their concerns by providing capacity-building and implementation support to poverty-disadvantaged and disaster-affected municipalities around the country. ###
