The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) proposal for its new community-resilience development project, the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) secured a final approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on Wednesday (March 19).
According to Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who presented the final proposal to the NEDA Board, the PCRP will serve as a successor project to the agency’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP). It will focus on strengthening community-based mechanisms to address emerging risks, such as environmental hazards, economic shocks, and health vulnerabilities.
“The emphasis of Pagkilos on community resilience aligns seamlessly with the core mandate of the DSWD to provide social protection to those most affected by risks, crises, shocks and disasters. The NEDA Board’s support in bringing this initiative to reality will ensure stronger and more resilient communities,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Secretary Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to those who contributed their insights and to the NEDA Board for seeing the benefits of the agency’s latest initiative.
“This is a moment of immense pride and gratitude. Proud of the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in crafting and conceptualization of this proposal, and gratitude to the NEDA
Board for recognizing the merit and potential impact of our vision to achieve community resilience,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
The PCRP will focus on municipalities with the highest poverty incidence, addressing economic risks and environmental hazards like drought, heat, floods, and landslides. It will also prioritize child health, nutrition, and inclusive interventions for Indigenous Peoples.
The project is expected to run from 2025 to 2030 and will benefit approximately 4.3 million households across 500 municipalities in 49 provinces and 16 regions.
“We are excited to continue our work using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, which has already made a positive impact on Filipino communities,” Director Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin of the KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Management Office said.
After the confirmation from the NEDA Board, the DSWD will start processing the requirements for the loan agreement signing for the implementation of the project. (AKDL)