The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) community-driven resilience and sustainable development project, the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP), secured a crucial approval from the National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Coordination Committee Cabinet Committee (NEDA ICC-CabCom) on Thursday (March 13).
Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the determining decision followed a rigorous review process by the NEDA-ICC Technical Board (TB), which deemed the project economically viable, justifiable, and yielding
high benefit results – a testament to its strategic investment in community resilience.
“The ICC-CabCom’s approval signifies a strong endorsement of the Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP as a strategic investment in the Philippines’ future. The project’s economic viability and high benefit results demonstrate its potential to generate significant returns for communities and the Philippines as a whole,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP is the successor to the agency’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) – Additional Financing (AF).
Joining the DSWD chief in the meeting were Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez of the DSWD’s Operations Group; Assistant Secretary Florentino Loyola, Jr. of the Promotive Programs under the Operations Group; Assistant Secretary Juan Carlo Marquez of the External Assistance and Development under the Policy Plans Group, and KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin who presented the project proposal to the ICC-CabCom.
In her presentation, Director Mapue-Joaquin highlighted the project’s focus on strengthening the community-driven development (CDD) approach that aims to empower communities to identify, plan and implement tailored solutions to specific needs while enhancing the communities’ capacity to withstand and recover from natural disaster impacts through building resilience.
The project also promotes inclusive growth for vulnerable populations, and enhancing social safety nets and providing continued social support.
“For more than 20 years, we have seen how the KALAHI-CIDSS’ projects utilizing the CDD approach can impact and transform lives. With Panahon ng Pagkilos, we know we can build a stronger and more resilient future for the communities,” Director Mapue-Joaquin explained.
The Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP represents a powerful commitment to building a more resilient and progressive Philippines, where communities are empowered to shape their own future, according to the
KALAHI-CIDSS director.
The Panahon ng Pagkilos project now moves closer to final confirmation by the NEDA Board, the final step of the NEDA-ICC process, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
This milestone brings renewed hope and optimism to communities across the Philippines, signaling a new era of community-driven resilience and sustainable development.