Tucked in the heart of Iloilo province is the landlocked area of Bingawan, a fifth-class municipality known for its agricultural landscapes, tranquil rural life, and a strong sense of community.

With limited local resources and funding, progress has never been easy. Yet, through the collective effort and people-centered governance, Bingawan continues to rise, proving that development does not always depend on abundance, but on participation.

And Bingawan was able to do it with the help of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

For Bingawan Mayor Matt Palabrica, the journey toward inclusive and sustainable growth has been closely tied to the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach championed by the KALAHI-CIDSS program.

Under the KALAHI-CIDSS, the CDD approach places decision-making power in the hands of the people. It directly involves residents in identifying, planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring their own small-scale development projects.

Located in the Western Visayas region, Bingawan is a predominantly agricultural town and home to close-knit communities where Hiligaynon is widely spoken. Despite its modest income classification, the municipality has embraced community participation as a cornerstone of governance—an approach strengthened by the KALAHI-CIDSS.

Through the program, Bingawan was able to establish the Bingawan KALAHI Associations (BINGKA)—community-based groups formed to ensure active citizen involvement in local development. These associations hold regular barangay meetings, creating spaces where residents can openly discuss concerns, propose solutions, and jointly manage projects.

Mayor Palabrica fully supports this as he had always been a strong advocate of empowering communities to take the lead in identifying and addressing their own needs.

“One time I was invited to join (one of the meetings), and sa barangay Cairohan kung saan isinagawa ang meeting, doon ko nalaman na may mga sirang linya ng tubo sa ating water system doon,” Mayor Palabrica said in video testimony posted on the DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 6 – Western Visayas official Facebook page on January 6.

Through these meetings, issues that might otherwise go unnoticed are brought to light early, allowing the community and local government to act promptly.

According to Mayor Palabrica, this participatory process has not only improved basic services but also helped generate innovative strategies that opened opportunities for livelihood and income-generating activities, even with limited municipal funds.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa BINGKA dahil sa active na pag conduct sa mga meetings, we have come up with strategies, innovations, and initiatives na makapagpapalago ng mga projects natin sa Bingawan,” the Mayor shared.

Mayor Palabrica consistently reminds every community to take an active role—not only during project implementation but even after completion.

For the local chief executive, transparency and accountability must be sustained beyond the lifespan of a single project. He stresses that responsibility should not rest solely on leaders, as all community members benefit from these initiatives.

“Lahat tayo ay may pananagutan sa mga proyektong ipinapatupad natin,” the Bingawan Mayor emphasized.

With very limited financial resources, the support of the DSWD through the KALAHI-CIDSS has been crucial. The program has enabled communities to maximize what they have, encouraging shared ownership and helping residents build projects that contribute to local income, services, and long-term development.

“Taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa DSWD ng paulit-ulit sa inyong aktibong partisipasyon, at isa sa mga malalakas na kasosyo sa pag-unlad sa bayan ng Bingawan,” Mayor Palabrica said.

Reflecting on the impact of the program, the Mayor underscored how deeply CDD has shaped Bingawan’s development path.

“Paano na lang kung wala ang DSWD? Hindi ko maisip ang Bingawan kung wala ang CDD,” the local chief executive pointed out.

Mayor Palabrica remains grateful for the DSWD’s continuous support and the sustained implementation of the CDD approach in Bingawan—an approach that has empowered communities, strengthened local governance, and provided additional opportunities for income and growth despite financial constraints.

By fostering transparency, accountability, and local ownership, the CDD transforms communities from passive beneficiaries into active partners in governance—helping build vital infrastructure, improve services, reduce poverty, and create pathways toward a more inclusive and sustainable future. (KB)