Metamorphosis_Kalahi-CIDSS Compendium 2015

Kalahi-CIDSS Compendium of Success Stories 2015

This compendium of stories was written and reproduced by the Regional
Program Management Office (RPMO) of the Kalahi-CIDSS Project in the
Cordillera Administrative Region

Stories of Beautiful Transformations
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services
Kalahi CIDSS
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
2015 Compendium of Success Stories

PREFACE
s indicated in the Millenium Development Goals, the concept of development
Ahas shifted from economic growth to other aspect such as social dimensions,
women in development, environment and indigenous peoples to attain meaningful
results seen and felt by the people.
With this paradigm shift, people’s participation is now widely recognized as
necessary way to attain sustainable development which became the new element of
the new vision of development.
In order for people’s participation to materialize, communities needed to be
empowered first. The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi CIDSS) Project is designed to make
this development a reality through community empowerment.
During the implementation of Kalahi CIDSS in the Cordillera, numerous
communites were observed to have been empowered as seen in the sub-projects
built in the different barangays across the region.
This publication, titled “Metamorphosis: Stories of beautiful transformations” is
a compilation of stories of individuals and communities within the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) areas in the region.
The main reason for this compendium is not simply to gather, organize and publish
strories of individuals and communites. Rather, it was to immortalize stories of men
and women, and communities who went through the process of empowerment.
These stories showcase the beautiful transformations of community volunteers who
lost themselves in the service of their own communities and later found themselves
fulfillingly blooming in the long run. It also details how these transformations
caused a ripple effect to their family and to their community as a whole.
The stories in this compendium prove that communities, when given the oppurtunity
to work on their own transformation can achieve it with the quality and sustainability
assured.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Kalahi-CIDSS 1
The CEAC Cycle 2
From Sayote to Big Apple 3
Phases of a Discovered Leader 7
Stranger’s Chance for Change 11
The Beauty of Cordillera Mornings 15
Paving Dreams to Reality 19
Cupis Women: Bringing Pride to Conner 23
Pastor Jun Belerma: From a Volunteer to an
Advocate of Change 27
Bucay Abra: Taking the Challenge on Good Governance 31
A Woman’s Drive for Happiness 37
Of Elders and Culture 41
Malabbaga children says goodbye to muddy slippers 45
Ab-abuyog: Weaving Communities to achieve
desired development 49
Bayanihan Spirit leads to the longest human chain
in Kalahi-CIDSS History 53
Barangay Patoc taking one step at a time 57
Kaya ko ang pagbabago… 63

Picture
MESSAGE

MESSAGE
few years ago, the springing of a close partnership between
A Kalahi CIDSS and the communities in Apayao, Kalinga,
Abra, Mountain Province and Ifugao began. Together with
the Millennium Challenge Corporation as a funding agency,
we have worked with 253 barangays in remote areas of the
Cordillera while holding onto our shared dream of a better life
for our communities.
Through the Kalahi CIDSS Project, these communities have
started to write their own stories of journey in community-driven development. By doing
so, they made sure that they will never be storyless in this generation but their acts of
volunteerism will forever be chanted in the years to come. Indeed, with empowerment as
the seed in poverty reduction, these communities learned to establish their stand in defying
the viscious cycle of poverty.
These stories of transformation speak of men and women, communities and Local
Government Units who have allowed themselves to slowly metamorphose into admirable
people or government unit they are today. From their accounts, they were reluctant of the
thought and most especially the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle they have to
follow but nonetheless have accepted the challenge and have learned to sacrifice to achieve
the amazing result of steering their own development.
Our partner communities now enjoy the fruits of their labor as they walk or deliver their
products on paved roads and concreted pathways, as potable water reach their homes, as
children learn and play in a conducive learning facility and as they can cross bridges without
fear. All of these are a product of a process they all undergone and have have acknowleged
in their stories in this compendium.
By being involved in identifying, planning and implementing community projects, the men
and women in these stories realized their potential to lead their own development.
To all our partners and supporters of community-driven development, may we all continue
to work hand-in-hand and carry on making waves for a genuine development in the
Cordillera.
LIBERTINE A. BALICDANG
Regional Program Coordinator, Kalahi CIDSS Project CAR

Kalahi CIDDS Project stands for the “Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive
and Integrated Delivery of Social Services. It is one of the main poverty reduction
program of the Government of the Philippines that seeks to apply participatory,
community-led and community-driven approaches proven to be effective in community
development work.
THE OVER-ALL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE KALAHI CIDSS PROJECT
The Kalahi-CIDSS Project envisions the development of self-propelling communities in
high poverty incidence areas in the countryside, where people actively participate, lead,
and propel development activities that will improve the people’s overall quality of life. In
support of this vision, the Project provides oppurtunities to:
Empower local communities, involving delivery of capacity-building inputs and the creation
and institutionalization of community-based mechanisms that will allow the people to
freely exercise their right to decide on issues affecting their own development. Emphasis
is given to vulnerable groups like the Indigenous Peoples, farmers, fisherfolk, by ensuring
their incusion in the decision-making process especially on matters pertaining to resource
allocation and use.
Improve local governance, both at the barangay and municipal levels, by revitalizing
local governance structures designed to encourage community consultation and ensure
transparency and accountability, following the principles and processes of good governance
as mandated by the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160). Through capacitybuilding
sessions and other project interventions, poor communities and their local
governments are primed to undertake relevant community development activities through
collaborative partnership engagements and;
Aid in the Reduction of Poverty through the provision of funds for basic community
infrastructure or common service facilities and other relevant projects that adress
community-defined needs and vulnerabilities. It is assumed that with empowered
communities and improved local governance, sub-projects of communities will be relevant,
successful and sustainable.
THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF THE KALAHI CIDSS PROJECT
Localized Decision-Making. Gives life to the importance of having the community discuss and
decide on important issues that affect them including the formulation and implementation
of projects and other interventions that will address problems they themselves identified.
1
Empowering. Invests heavily on capacity-building activities that are designed to
progressively develop the capabilities of the people, from analysis of local conditions to

design of appropriate development intervention, to actual implementation of development
projects.
Transparency. People’s participation is the program’s core requirement, and the active
engagement of community members in the various development process and interventions
is a necessary prerequisite to the success of all project activities and interventions.
Community Prioritization. Project interventions, most notably on the selection of subprojects
and capacity-building activities is a product of a collective decision-making process.
Decision on what project are to be prioritized for funding is made by an inter-barangay
forum whose members are elected by the barangay assemblies.
Inclusive and Multi-Stakeholder. The whole community, with its formal and traditional
leaders, the different sectors and other individuals, group or organizations are
encouraged to participate in the project.
Demand-Driven. Support is given to enable the communities to prioritize their own needs
and problems, design their own projects and make decisions on how resources will be used.
Sustainable. The project ensures that sub-projects have viable plans for sustainability. With
references to Kalahi-CIDSS, viability and sustainability reflect the capacity of sub-projects
to continue to deliver intended benefits over a long period beyond the life of the project.
The Community Empowerment Activity Cycle
Community-Based
Evaluation
Accountability Review
and Reporting
Implemnt’n
of O&M Plan
Transition
Municipal
Orientation
Implemnt’n
of SP
& M&E
Pre-Implemnt’n
Workshop
MIBF – MDC
Engagements
MIBF-EC Review of
Pending Proposals
Community
Consultations (BA)
Implmt’n
SP & O&M
Plan & M&E
Project Approval
Stage
KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB
COMMUNITY
EMPOWERMENT ACTIVITY
CYCLE
Project
Identification,
Selection, and
Planning
Stage
Social
Preparation
Stage
Barangay
Orientation
(BA)
Criteria Setting
Workshop MIBF)
PSA
Community
Consultation
(BA)
Project Development
Workshop
Preparation of
detailed Proposals
Prioritization and
approval of Proposals
(MIBF)
Community Consultations
(BA)
Community
Consultations
MIAC Technical
Review of Proposals
2

Who would have thought that a 60-year-old lady would go far from simply
tending sayotes to addressing the United Nations in the Big Apple?
On September 30, 2015, Elsie Lomong-oy, of the Applai-Kankana-ey tribe from Besao,
Mountain Province just did that.
Garbed in the colors of her native attire, Manang Elsie, as she is fondly called, related
her experiences as a community volunteer and how capacitating the people through
volunteerism lifted her town to become one of Cordilleras fast developing municipalities.
She stuttered over her first words as she shook off some nervous feelings, but eventually
spoke smoothly towards the end. “I was trembling a bit because the entire experience was a
first time for me,” she recalled.
Manang Elsie told the crowd how Besao managed to put up 49 infrastructure projects
in a span of four years, five times more than the expected government projects. She said
development is not just the business of officials, it is everyone’s lookout.
“These were constructed by our own hands, from the sweat and aspirations of poor people
like me who never had the voice and choice before,” her speech said. At the end of her
talk, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation, something that affirmed what she has been
doing the entire time.
Rest-less
From Sayote
It was, literally and figuratively, a long but fruitful journey for Manang Elsie. Having spent
most of her life in the landlocked town of Besao the elderly lady contented herself to her
daily routine and whatever comes around to fill her time.
She wakes up to her usual weekday routine which starts with fixing breakfast, feeding the
pigs, cleaning the pen, sweeping the yard, washing the dishes, and feeding their pet dog
before preparing to go to work at the barangay hall where she is the treasurer or at a meeting
where she is a member of an organization.
3
For most, the voluminous task may be more than enough to keep a woman of her age

to Big Apple
Back to Back. While at the Barangay Hall, Manang Elsie devotes her time doubling as a
barangay treasure and a volunteer member of the Bids and Awards Comitee of the
Kalahi-CIDSS*
occupied, but not for Manang Elsie. “It (age) is just a number and it even challenges me to
do more,” she expressed in local dialect, as she pulled to wear her glasses affixed against her
graying hair.
In between juggling her work and family, as a wife to her husband Agustin and a mother-ofthree,
she also spares time for her role as a community volunteer for the Kapit-bisig Laban
sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi CIDDS)
in their barangay.
Besao Mayor Wellington Pooten, the chief executive since the Kalahi-CIDSS started in
the town in 2011, has nothing but good words for the elderly lady. “Elsie is a very active
member of the community. She joins all organizations and does not ask for any incentive or
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pay for what she does,” he said.
Area Coordinator Roxan Ramirez of the Kalahi-CIDSS has similar words for the mildmannered
lady. “Manang Elsie is one of the most active members of the community and she
is very transparent especially in paper works, I never noticed any problems on her work,”
she stated.
Lifting her community
Though admittedly skeptical at first, Manang Elsie became a community volunteer in 2012
when the Kalahi CIDSS was being implemented in Besao on its second year.
She said it was the system of how the program was being implemented that initially attracted
her like many others who tried volunteering. However, many did not last as community
volunteers, she lamented.
There was a lot of work done yet it was without compensation which dissuaded many of the
early volunteers, manang Elsie stated.
5
Superwoman. At home, Manang Elsie never fails to keep the house warm fulfilling her
duties as a wife and a mother.*

However, she stayed for one reason – her community. “I value my community very much. I
want it to be developed from within, and the people see the value of development,” she said.
Manang Elsie said it felt a little intimidating at first to be speaking in a community where
culturally, words of men are likely to be heard and sought. It did not dissuade her. The
elderly lady related how she felt a strong sense of empowerment when she first stood and
spoke in front of the community assembly.
Eventually, these speaking engagements somehow broke the societal structure system where
men dominate the decision making and leadership roles in her community.
Manang Elsie stood out to be a leader in her barangay triggering a ripple effect on women in
the other villages. Throughout Besao, there is not one committee formed without a woman
member.
Now, the voices of women are sought especially in community-related decisions. “I hear
people expressing themselves. No, we are not going to be silent anymore,” Manang Elsie
said.
These experiences and learnings manang Elsie gained as a community volunteer of Kalahi
CIDSS were more than what she expected.
On December 2014, Manang Elsie was announced as the Best Community Volunteer in
the senior division of the first BayaniKa! Awards of the Kalahi CIDSS from nominations
nationwide.
It would seem to be a Pandora’s Box for the elderly lady. She never dreamt of stepping
abroad but she did. Her exemplary volunteerism brought her far from Besao into the Big
Apple – New York, USA – and not just for any ordinary purpose but to address the world
through the United Nations.
“I never thought I, being a woman and simply a volunteer, would get this great opportunity.
It is as if I am dreaming,” a beaming Manang Elsie related.
In her UN speech, she talked about how she made it a personal advocacy to let the public
know about the benefits of volunteerism and push the government know that participatory
government is the best approach to go develop communities.
“By allowing citizens to implement project, we will end hunger, poverty and powerlessness,”
manang Elsie shared. Currently, Manang Elsie is receiving invitations to talk to various
audiences as a motivational speaker.//
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“
Ti sukatan ti abilidad iti maysa nga
tao babai wenno lalaki ket saan gayam
nga ti pisikal a kinapigsa, kinangato
ti pinagadalan na wenno iti kaadu iti
sanikuwa na no di ketdi iti kinapudno
a panagserbi iti pada nga tao.
”
The measure of one’s ability, either a woman
or a man isn’t really the physical strength,
educational attainment or financial capacity;
it is her or his genuine drive or intention to
serve her or his fellow.
Phases
of a Discovered
Leader
By Mayrose Urbano-Cariño and
Gemmuel Daria
7

ealization came vocally from a 46 years old woman, an attitude far from what
A she was before.
Lourdes Poclis of Barangay Besao West, Besao, Mt. Province said that she used to be a shytyped
person, a very quiet woman that she didn’t disclose much of her feelings even to her
husband.
Though she rarely talked about her aspiration, her hard work and determination for
her family say it all. “Uray no kasaanu ti kinarigat ti biag da, ni Lourdes ket naanus nga
agpanunot iti nadalus a pamusposan tapnu matulongan na ti asawa na nga agsapul para
iti pamilya da ken tapnu matungpal ti arapaap da a makaturpos dagiti dua nga annak da”
(Though they know how hard life is, Lourdes is patient to think of ways on how she can
help her husband on their family income in order to achieve their dream of having their two
children graduate in school) her sister-in-law remarked.
Aside from her household works, Lourdes also has field work. She joins her husband
in farming. This is her way in helping her husband for their children’s education. With
education, her children will have better future according to her, who once desired to finish
her studies but did not due to her family’s financial condition.
While working, though she kept mum on things she observed in their community, her
mind kept on thinking and hoping for possibilities. Some questions revolved on her head
such as why were women treated differently, why women workers in their barangay only
receive Php 150 a day compared to the Php 200 salary of men on the same labor they
did or why women seemed to have many duties in their everyday lives. She liked to raise
these concerns to their barangay or to her husband but she was afraid and did not have the
courage to discuss such matters.
When Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services of DSWD came and started its implementation in their municipality, Lourdes was
one of the residents who became community volunteers. For Lourdes, being member of the
community volunteers’ group where she can participate, listen, talk sometimes and learn
were the only roles of a community volunteer. But as time progressed, she experienced how
a community volunteer worked on her own ways.
For the first cycle or year one of Kalahi-CIDSS’ Community Empowerment Activity Cycle
(CEAC), their proposed communal irrigation system was not granted or prioritized.
Just like other volunteers, Lourdes was upset but hopeful that there’s another cycle to be
implemented.
In 2011, fortunately, second cycle happened. “Diay cycle 2, nakita me no kasatnu dagiti 8

community volunteers tayu nga situtulong da ti pag-andar dyay proseso ti Proyekto”
(During the cycle 2, we saw how cooperative our community volunteers are in making
the process of the Project works) the community facilitator recounted.
Lourdes was voted as Participatory Situational Analysis volunteer during their second
cycle. “Sakbay na ket agduadua ti panunot ni Lourdes nu awaten na ti posisyon na,
ta mabuteng gapu ta baka dina ammo ti ar aramiden na ngem pinapigsa na laeng ti
rikna na” (Before Lourdes accepted her position [as Participatory Situational Analysis
volunteer], she was doubtful of her capacity that she might do wrong or can’t do her
duties well but proceeded believing her guts on it) her co-volunteer confessed on how
she reacted on her first position in the Project.
Little by little, Lourdes gained some self-confidence. She even raised issues on her
observed inequality to women in their barangay which other women seconded. They
then requested to their barangay for an equal salary of labor to which their Barangay
Captain responded. “Ditoy nga napaneknekan ni Lourdes nga nabileg gayam ti puwersa
ti babai nu agmaymaysa kami” (Here, Lourdes came to believe that if woman forces will
united, we are stronger) their community facilitator said.
Lourdes admitted that with her community role which entailed her time, she got a
problem on how to juggle it for her responsibilities in their house. But she was thankful
to her husband and children because they supported her. They helped her with the
household chores. “Iti uneg iti maysa nga tawen a kas volunteer ket nakapag-adjust sak
met” (Within a year, I came to adjust as volunteer), she shared.
Because of their trust on her, they chose her to lead on the Project Implementation
Team (PIT) for the implementation of their drainage system project. The obligation
as PIT volunteer was bigger, she described as it involved monitoring the sub-project’s
implementation development which as the community said was the first time they had
a woman did such work.
When they lacked workers for the sub-project, Lourdes’ leadership was tested. According
to Area Coordinator Gemmuel Daria, she helped in mobilizing the community
especially the women to join in the sub-project implementation in order to avoid its
delay.
“Ammo tayu met nga adu ti kabaelan iti maysa nga babai a kas iti panag-hauling ken
9

dadduma nga paset ti konstruksiyon ta saan laeng nga agtagibalay ken agtalon ti kaya
ti babai nga aramiden a kas pagarup dagiti lallaki nu di ketdi pati iti panagtrabaho iti
konstruksiyon” (We knew that a woman can do many things, even hauling and other
construction works because a woman is not just a housekeeper or a farmer, she can also
work in construction), Lourdes explained on her side as one of the laborers also.
With the active participation of Lourdes’ community, they had their Cycle 3. She turned
to volunteer herself as head of Procurement Team which the rest of volunteers agreed
to. With this position, she learned to manage the volunteers’ honorarium and the
procurement of construction materials.
“Kas met laeng nag-graduate tak iti kolehiyo gapu kadagiti trainings nga inatendarak
kasla dyay Procurement Training, Financial Management and Auditing. Tatta, ammo
kon nga i-budget ti pundo ti maysa nga banag tan ngamin nu lumabes ka iti nai-budget
ket agkaproblema ken mabalin ko metten nga usaren iti uneg ti pagtaengan mi daytoy a
dakkel a nasurok”(As if I was a college graduate because of the trainings I participated
just like the Procurement Training, Financial Management and Auditing. Now, I knew
how to budget our funds, because if you exceed to what was allotted, definitely you’ll
have a problem, and I can also use what I learned here in our house) Lourdes related.
Aside from her learning in procurement, Lourdes also learned on how to read program
of works and plans of their sub-project. “Saan laeng gayam nga lalaki ti mabalin nga
makabael no di ket mas nalalaing kami sa pay” (I just realized that, it’s not only for man,
but I guessed we [women] can do it even better), Lourdes jokingly uttered.
Currently, Lourdes is also a member of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) to
continue helping and supporting her town’s advocacy for development especially for
women.
Lourdes evolved into a woman she didn’t notice she would be. Unconsciously, as
she went through every cycle of the Project, as their sub-project went to a process of
development, she also went through to her own phases of personal growth. As one subproject
completed to another sub-project, she too achieved something – the learning
and experiences which to her were her triumph in life. Slowly, in every cycle, in every
phase, a leader is discovered, one is Lourdes. //
10

Strangers' Chance for Change
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To where their feet may lead them. Area Coordinating team of Langiden, Abra crossing the
dried Abra River to reach far flung communities whom they love serving*
By Mayrose Urbano-Cariño and Isidro P. Bulayo
What makes community organizing especially attractive is the faith it places
in the ability of the poor to make decisions for themselves. - Paul Wellstone
In a place where there seemed to be a “no man’s place” because of its geographical
location is where a group of total strangers were designated for the Kalahi-CIDSS
Project.
February 2012 was when the Project started in Langiden, Abra. Dubbed as “The
Killing Field of the North,” the fear this connotes to the place did not become
hindrance to the group of strangers who still went on and immersed with the
community. The group did the Social Preparation first. Hiking and walking for
kilometers of dessert like rugged roads were their little accomplishments which they

“
So overwhelming to know that community people understand
what Kalahi-CIDSS is for and what it really wants for every
community it serves. The greatest thing to be seen and
experience at this moment is to see how people appreciate
and accept the Project and how ACT and MCT see little by
little, day after day, the inculcation of empowerment to the
people of Langiden, Abra.
”
used to in their routine of activities to reach far flung barangays. During the rainy
season, the group even crossed the kilometer long Abra River. They really wanted to
cross and reach the communities to spread the good news.
“We are from Kalahi-CIDSS,” said the Area Coordinator, the leader of the
group which identified themselves as the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) to the
community. They brought something which the community didn’t believe in due
to their experience with politics on their place and what they call “false hope” the
government always gives.
The community perceived that the government cannot provide them big projects
because their population is very small and the barangays are far from each other.
Thus, when ACT explained that the Project is different since the community will
manage it and a big project such as flood control or water system can be a reality,
more encouragement needed to do since they thought that this can be another
“ningas kugon.”
Digging deeper on the situation in the municipality, other than their being a far
flung and their cynical attitude with the Project, people there were mostly busy in
doing their personal chores and have no time to attend Barangay Assemblies, or the
meetings with regards to the Project.
With this situation ACT faced, their Social Preparation was a great challenge. They
tried so hard to be able to win the hearts of the community people. Great efforts
were exerted to do these things. The ACT along with the Municipal Coordinating
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Volunteers at Heart. Community volunteers in Barangay Dalayap in Langiden built a flood
control which to this day is beneficial to the community*
13
Team (MCT) did their best to explain to the communities and let them realize that
Kalahi-CIDSS is not just another project that will cause them dismay but a project
that will be implemented through their efforts and not by the politicians.
Then, day by day as guided with the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle
(CEAC), the Project’s process of implementation, step by step community to
community was able to grasp the uniqueness of Kalahi-CIDSS and little by little,
community volunteers were increasing as others became curious of this good news.
Participation of the community people became more noticeable.
Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum (MIBF) where each barangays will present
their proposal and will assess on their approval as prioritized proposals based on
communities set criteria. Three (3) barangays were then prioritized with funds
allotment. During the 4th Barangay Assembly, ACT heard from the winning
barangays how excited they were for the Sub-Project Implementation (SPI). They’ve
been asking on trainings or activities for the preparation for the SPI. While the non-

prioritized barangays were disappointed, they themselves accepted that they had
faults especially on their participation. However, they were hopeful and promised
to do their best for the second cycle.
So overwhelming to know that community people understand what Kalahi-CIDSS
is for and what it really wants for every community it serves. The greatest thing to
be seen and experience at this moment is to see how people appreciate and accept
the Project and how ACT and MCT see little by little, day after day, the inculcation
of empowerment to the people of Langiden, Abra.
There is still a long way to go on through and the team is very expectant that the
communities will make it, bearing with them the knowledge and process imparted by
the Kalahi-CIDSS staff. They see another side of the reality that there are still people
and groups who are still there for them, willing to listen and support their needs and
dreams and finally, to attain them hand in hand for community development, which
is the main objective of Kalahi-CIDSS.
Knowing the challenges that the team may encounter next, by heart and mind, the
ACT who once the strangers of Langiden became stronger and confident that with
the good news that they were able to share to the communities will continue. And,
later, they were not only the advocates of good news, the advocates of the Project but
the community, the communities, themselves. //
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The Beauty of cORDIllera mornings
By Mayrose Urbano-Cariño
In the cold mist of between mountains and the breeze crossing the river of Abra,
the dawn breaks slowly to a radiant Cordillera morning.
This nature beauty of a morning may observe by a tourist. Unfortunately, this may also
forget or ignore by the locals who consider their sunrises as their normal days of waking up
as experienced by a couple of Langiden.
Before the sun rises, Maricel and Glenn Berońa already wake up. Walking towards their
kitchen, one makes a cup of coffee then goes out to check and wash the tricycle, while the
other stays to prepare for breakfast and calls the rest of the family when the food is ready. As
one leaves for work with the children for school, the other remains to do other household
chores. To the couple’s household, this scenario is their household routine, their typical
morning.
But when Maricel became a community volunteer, her usual doings had changed. Unlike
before, she was no longer a home buddy. She later went out of their house for a community
work, a set up which turned the couple’s struggle, leading into some household quarrels.
15
For Maricel, experiencing changes and adapting to them were not new. She was originally

from Florida, Pampanga until she met Glenn who is from Langiden, Abra. It’s not actually
a love at first sight according to her. But with Glenn’s perseverance in courting her, the two
became closer each day that they were together. And unexpectedly, she fell in love to this
man, she smilingly recounted.
Their love blossomed in Pampanga since 2001. They became a couple, and then later
started a family on their own. They stayed there for two years as Glenn narrated to finish
his construction work.
Later, a blessing came to their lives. They decided to move and settle in Langiden for their
growing family. New environment, new house, new neighbours, new or additional role and
new culture for Maricel were such changes she faced. Taking all of these, Glenn testified
that one by one, she was able to adjust. They build their home with three children, namely
Glemar who is 11 years old, Giselle, nine and their youngest, Princess, five.
However, as their multiple roles rolled, balancing their time with their daily activities
became their problem. It began when Maricel got influenced by her neighbours to join in
a Barangay Assembly at their barangay hall. There, she was oriented about Kalahi-CIDSS
Project of DSWD just like the other residents who participated. She became a frequent
participant in meetings, Community Facilitator Roxan Ramirez said.
While Maricel was in her way in discovering her community role, she also encouraged
Glenn to attend in Kalahi-CIDSS activities with her. But, then, their additional role was a
challenge to them. “Narigat talaga nga agibalanse ti oras lalo no sika ti babae ti pagtaengan”
(It’s really hard to balance time especially when you’re the woman of the house), Maricel
said. Sometimes, she went out early or returned home late, making some of her household
chores left undone or some dinners turned late. And sometimes, because of tiredness, she
“
Narigat talaga nga agibalanse ti oras lalo no sika ti babae ti
pagtaengan.
”
It’s really hard to balance time especially when you’re the woman of the
house.
_Maricel Berońa, Community Volunteer
16

17
wanted to ask her husband to also cook for their dinner but did not have enough confidence
to say it.
For Glenn, sometimes he had second thoughts of involving himself to such activities due to
his tricycle driving schedule. His participation was half-hearted, he admitted, saying “haan
ko talaga ikaskaso dagidyay maar-aramid idi, no maminsan umayak, no maminsan haan, ta
kailangak nga agpasada” (I was not that serious on what’s happening, I would go sometimes,
and sometimes not because I need to drive).
One morning, they never knew that one of their attended trainings would be a help for their
situation. Glenn was originally hesitant in going because he thought it’s only for women,
fortunately he joined after the community facilitator corrected his notion on gender
sensitivity training. Maricel shared “naipalpalawag kanyami dagiti responsibilidad me a kas
ina ken ama nga maibagak nga maysa daytoy nga training nga haan ko malipatan” (it was
explained to us our responsibilities as a mother and a father, which I can say that this is one
of the trainings I won’t forget).
Day after day, the couple noticed some changes. Glenn helped his wife in cooking and
laundering their used clothes. While, Maricel organized her community work through
setting it in the morning. “Na-realize ko nga babae man o lalaki basta kayat na nga aramiden
ti pag-imbagan na, agaramid nga agaramid isuna ti paraan” (I realized that either woman or
man, as long as they want to be better, they will find ways), Maricel disclosed.
When she learned that their community’s sub-project will start its implementation stage,
according to her co-volunteers, she chose to be a regular laborer. Initially, her practical
reason in joining the paid labor was to add or support her husband in generating their
family’s income. As she continued working, her motivation became to support their
community’s dream, to have a flood control.
Though experiencing hot weather while working, hot and heavy stones to move and arrange,
Maricel expressed that “kinanayonak nga busy ken adda kinanayon nga magungun-ud ko ket
naragsakak nga makatulong” ([it] keeps me busy and productive and I’m happy that I’m
helping).
“Nakitak met nga uray marigrigatan ni misis, ket itultuloy na latta isunga sinuportarak ti
kayat na” (Even though my wife experienced difficulty, she still continued so I supported
what she wanted [to do]) Glenn shared his view on his wife’s involvement to the Project.
Maricel and Glenn came to believe that there is a time for everything – time for their family,
for work and for themselves. With their experiences as a couple, they learned to know

Through thick and thin. Maricel Berońa juggles her time attending to her family and her
community works*
their priorities and manage their time as a mother and a father, or wife and husband or
community volunteer or maybe other coming roles.
Eventually, the couple found the beauty of their morning, the extraordinary on their
ordinary day – that is when they became open to chances and changes that life brings. And
every day, they hope to continue finding extraordinary which makes their every waking
time worth standing in their radiant Cordillera morning. //
18

19
P aving
Dreams to Reality
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” the great Chinese
philosopher Lao Tzu once said.
For the people of Nagcanasan, a landlocked barangay of Pilar town in Abra, each journey
to reach the town proper would seems like a thousand miles of grueling hike which takes
about three to four hours on an average day.
Mountain ranges and rivers have provided the people with bounty but have also become
natural barriers that sealed the area away from outside access and communication.
The only way in and out is through an unpaved rough road with no means of public
transportation throughout the year. An uneven dusty road welcomes first time visitors
during dry season which gets worse during the rainy season because a strong downpour
could easily washout the entire length of the road.
Imagine how severe it would be during typhoons and strong monsoons.
Every now and then, the residents, in the spirit of bayanihan, would pitch in time and effort
to fix the coarse road just to let in vehicles during necessities.
For the few hundred residents here, going to town meant braving the scorching sun during
dry days or risking heavy rains and strong winds, and occasional lighting and thunder
during the rainy season.
The hapless situation of Nagcanasan has left the residents voiceless and paralyzed on
development. The people feel helpless whenever accidents occur, when illnesses need
hospitalization, or when crimes happen because it is hard to reach the concerned agencies
or authorities.
Residents are left with no option but to carry their sick and walk through purgatory to gain
access to treatment. Farmers are often forced to sell their agricultural produce at lesser

The only way in and out is through an unpaved
rough road with no means of public transportation
throughout the year. An uneven dusty road welcomes
first time visitors during dry season which gets worse
during the rainy season because a strong downpour
could easily washout the entire length of the road.
prices else risk spoiling their goods.
Moreover, porters are hired to carry belongings to nearby barangays to access road networks
which places a heavy toll on the part of the farmer or resident because of the added expense
of paying the porters’ wage.
For years, the people longed to taste development. They yearned for an easier connection
Connecting Lives. From once a road less traveled, the road going to Nagcanasan is now a
main thoroughfare easily connecting the village and adjacent communities to town*
20

outside of Nagcanasan which could help them ferry goods easier and bring them home
faster and more comfortably.
The First Step
The initial step towards the realization of a concrete pavement in Nagcanasan came in 2012
when the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
was introduced.
The program, which is funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and
the Millennium Challenge Account - Philippines (MCA - P) through grants, aims to help
impoverished municipalities attain solutions to their problems for the welfare of their
people.
It was the answer to Nagcanasan’s dream to have a concrete access road for the improvement
of the lives of its residents.
Without much fuss, the Municipal Local Government Unit accepted the assistance, and
implementation started after a mass participation of the 19 barangays of Pilar through
successful information dissemination from the Kalahi-CIDSS staff.
During the first barangay consultation, the residents were very much impressed with the
proposed sub-projects. With determination and eagerness to finally have a concrete road,
the community in unison concluded to the farm-to-market road sub-project. On their part,
the residents complied to the all requirements and other matters taken during the barangay
consultations in their topmost capability.
The dream of a concrete road connection in Nagcanasan inched even closer to realization
when the project was billed the top priority based on the approved criteria through a voting
during the MIBF-PRA.
Finally, the 2, 580 linear meters of the Nagcanasan to Gapang Farm-to-Market Road was
given a funding of P7, 351, 823.69.
Paving Reality
The project was officially started on December 8 last year through the concerted efforts of
the Kalahi-CIDSS staff in coordination with the MLGU, barangay officials, and the entire
community of Nagcanasan.
21

Again in a show of unity and determination, the community pitched in for the fare of the
materials to the construction site.
After almost a year, the road is now at virtually complete. As of November 21, the long
stretch of concrete pavement that connects Nagcanasan to the outside world only needs
inspection before this can finally be turned over to the community.
The success and benefit of the road pavement is felt deeply and enjoyed not only by the
community of Nagcanasan but by other barangays as well.
People can now comfortably travel from one barangay to another at ease or ferry their
produce to town and go home faster, regardless of what season of the year it is.
The trouble of carrying ill residents by foot is now history and emergency situations are now
easily answered by responding agencies or authorities.
The agony of inaccessibility will no longer be passed on to the upcoming generations
because Nagcanasan’s dreams have now been paved to reality.
The first step was taken and the journey of a thousand miles has reached its end.//
22

Cupis women. Women volunteers of Barangay Cupis, Conner, Apayao. The said barangay
is one of the 21 barangays of Conner, a second class municipality implementing the
Kalahi-CIDSS project of DSWD through the funding of Millenium Challenge Corporation
and local counterpart of the community and the Local Government Unit*
23
“
When Kalahi [CIDSS] started here, they were talking about
engaging women as leaders. We always thought back then,
being a leader feels like it was a very big shoe to fill in.
”
_BSPMC Chairperson Jocelyn C. Pascua.
They offer more than what they can give. They work more than what they are
required to. They sacrifice more than what other people expect. They strive
to learn. They share what they know. They lead. They serve. They are the Cupis
women.
Cupis is one of the 21 barangays of Conner, Apayao. Conner is a 2nd class municipality
and has been implementing the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) since 2012 under the funding of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through the Millennium Challenge Account
Philippines. Kalahi – CIDSS is one of the Department of Social Welfare and Development

CUPIS WOMen:
Bringing
pride to Conner
By Strelle C. Quejado
(DSWD)’s core poverty reduction programs alongside the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Since the first year of the program implementation in Conner, the women of Cupis have
shown overwhelming support to the project, exerted extra effort, strived to learn more, and
strived harder to excel further than the men.
The Challenge as Women Leaders
Men taking the role as the leaders has long been the norm in Conner. “When Kalahi
[CIDSS] started here, they were talking about engaging women as leaders. We always
thought back then, being a leader feels like it was a very big shoe to fill in,” said BSPMC
Chairperson Jocelyn C. Pascua in the vernacular. Jocelyn, 45, is also a beneficiary of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and a program participant under the Sustainable
Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Sobrang pasasalamat ko nga po sa DSWD dahil sa sobrang dami ng mga trainings at seminars
ng Kalahi [CIDSS], Pantawid [Pamilya], at SLP, ang laki po ng tiwala na binibigay ng mga tao
sa akin. Maka-ilang beses na po akong nagpa-training ng weaving sa kapwa beneficiaries sa
loob at labas ng Apayao. Noong nakaraang taon, nakuha ko po ang posisyon na Vice President
ng Kalipi Women’s Organization dito sa Cupis. At noong April po, isa po ako sa representative
ng Conner para sa selebrasyon ng Women’s Month sa Luna, Apayao. Nakapagperform kami
24

oon,” Jocelyn proudly said.
“All women here in Cupis are already empowered, all because of Kalahi [CIDSS],” shared
BSPMC Chairperson Lilia L. Andaya in the vernacular. Lilia, 51, is also a beneficiary of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Program. Aside from taking the role as a Pantawid Pamilya Parent
Leader of Barangay Cupis, she also bravely took the role as the Barangay Sub-Project
Management Committee (BSPMC) Chairperson during the 2nd cycle of Kalahi-CIDSS in
their municipality.
“Noon talagang mga kalalakihan ang nasa posisyon. Ngayon, makikita na yung balance sa
parehong gender. Hindi na issue ngayon ang taas ng pinag-aralan. Ngayon, nakadepende na
sa puso – hanggang saan ang kaya mong gawin para makapagsilbi ka sa kapwa mo, ano ang
kaya mong ibigay para sa bayan mo,” Lilia shares her thoughts on promoting gender equality
through the Kalahi – CIDSS project.
Building the Center for Economic Empowerment
Through the remarkable engagement of women in the implementation of communitydriven
development (CDD), Conner was able to receive a gender incentive grant (GIG)
from MCC. Through this additional grant and the local counterpart contribution (LCC)
from the Local Government Unit and people of Conner, they were able to build a 126 sq.m.
Women's Center amounting to a total of PHP2.6M. The center has been completed in
January 2015.
Today, the women’s center can now be used by various women’s group in Conner for Skills
Enhancement Trainings which can help aide in their economic status. As soon as they were
able to complete the project, these women’s groups did not stop there. They continued to
plan and outsource some funding for them to acquire materials and equipment they can
use in the women’s center.
“
Noon talagang mga kalalakihan ang nasa posisyon. Ngayon,
makikita na yung balance sa parehong gender. Hindi na issue
ngayon ang taas ng pinag-aralan. Ngayon, nakadepende na sa
puso – hanggang saan ang kaya mong gawin para makapagsilbi
ka sa kapwa mo, ano ang kaya mong ibigay para sa bayan mo.
”
25

“Yung mga natutunan namin sa Kalahi-CIDSS, hindi natatapos sa Kalahi-CIDSS. Ngayon
alam na namin na mas marami pa kaming kayang gawin. Madami pa kaming pwedeng
matutunan. Hindi kami pwedeng tumigil dahil lang babae kami. Kailangan naming magpatuloy
ng nasimulan namin dahil tao din kami, babae o lalaki, kabilang kami sa barangay na ito, sa
munisipyong ito. Hangga’t hindi kami umaangat, hindi kami dapat tumigil matuto, maging
matapat, maging totoo,” Lilia said, sharing her commitment for change.
Jocelyn and Lilia are just two of the women of Conner who believed in the power of CDD.
They bravely took the seats as one of the leaders of their community. They now believe in
themselves – with what they can do today and more years to come. They continue to prove
that they are the new heroes of this generation. They are the Cupis women.//
26

Pastor
Jun
: Volunteer
From a to an
Belerma Advocate of Change
>
“
By Strelle C. Quejado
Ar-aramidek daytoy panagtulong, as a pastor ket makitak iti hand of God.
Ginagamit ni God ang project na ito at ako, para matulungan ang mga tao. This
is an instrument, a channel of blessing. Makitkitak nu inya iti purpose iti panag-biag
ko ditoy lubong. This is my mission. (I am doing this, because as a pastor, I can see
the hand of God. God is using this project and me to help the people. This is an
instrument, a channel of blessing. I can see my life’s purpose in this world. This is
my mission.)”, shared Pastor Rufino “Jun” Belerma, Jr. or “Manong Jun” as he wants
him to be called.
Manong Jun is from San Juan, Abra but moved to Barangay Lamao, Bucloc, Abra on 2011 to
serve as a pastor at Highland Tingguian Baptist Church and at the same time, as a volunteer
Values teacher at Labaan Elementary School. A year after, another opportunity to serve and
fulfill his mission came into his way.
It was in 2012 when the proposed sub-project of Barangay Lamao was prioritized for the 2nd
cycle of Kalahi CIDSS in Bucloc. Since he has been staying in the said barangay serving as a
pastor, he then volunteered to be part of the Project Preparation Team (PPT) for that cycle.
He also helped during the construction of their drainage canal. Manong Jun shared that the
constructed drainage canal is a piece of their hardwork, it was exactly how they visualized
it when they were making the proposal. “Idi inimplement mi diyay [sub-] project, adu met a
ti naadal ko, nakita mi iti ‘sense of ownership’ diyay project mi, adda iti pannakailala. Kinuna
mi nga, ‘daytoy ket project mi’ Iti importante ket mabati kanya mi diyay [sub-] project ken
kanya mi diyay en.” (When we implemented the [sub-] project, we learned a lot, we had
this ‘sense of ownership’ for our project. We told [ourselves], ‘this is our project’. What is
important is that the project will stay in the community, and that is already ours.)
27

Manong Jun shared that prior to the construction of the drainage canal, they have been
encountering problems especially during rainy seasons, to include health and sanitation
issues in the community. Some of the children were even getting sick due to the foul
smell coming from the pathways, and at times, rain water may be mixed with the urine
of their animals or water from the laundry. The construction of the drainage canal made a
positive impact on improving the health of the people within the community, their crops,
their farm animals, as well as sanitary conditions in the community. The drainage canal
was constructed through the funding of the Millenium Challenge Corporation and the
Millenium Challenge Account – Philippines. As of October 2014, the project is already
90.85% complete physically.
After a year of being a volunteer, Manong Jun decided that he would like to be a part of
the program, not as a volunteer but as one of the facilitators. He said he would like to share
everything he learned as a volunteer to other communities implementing the program. He
recalled that before the program most of the people in their community were very passive.
Bucloc Drainage. One of the projects accomplished by Pastor Jun Belerma when he was
still a community volunteer in Bucloc, Abra*
28

29
They would even keep their comments to themselves because they are afraid to be criticized
in a negative way. Manong Jun said that through the activities under the Community
Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), they were taught how to voice out their feelings, and
in a very simple way, they gained their confidence to share their comments and suggestions
during barangay assemblies.
The CEAC is the five-stage process followed by the program implementers, including
the community volunteers, to train them in the community-driven development (CDD)
approach, and to prepare them for their next year of implementation.
Manong Jun also saw the importance of a community coming together, especially during
the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum (MIBF) where they have to vote for the sub-projects
that need to be prioritized. He wanted other communities to realize the importance of the
CEAC, the same way that he did. “Para kenyak dagiti naadal mi ijay CEAC ket isu ti haan
nga maawan wenno madadael. Dagiti sub-projects nga naaramid ket addan tu iti panawen
nga madadael met laeng. Ket nu dumteng tu, ammo min ti aramiden min gapo ta naadal min
[diyay process]. Isu daytoy iti kayat ko met nga maadal iti sabali, kayat ko nga maawatan
da, nga ipursige da kuma nga masuro diyay process ken isu ti itanek da iti panpanunot da,
ta isu daytoy ti talaga nga makatulong kanyada,” (For me, everything that we have learned
from the CEAC will never be gone or damaged. Time will come and the sub-projects may
be damaged or destroyed. If that time comes, we already know what to do because we were
taught with the process. I want other people to understand this, to pursue to learn the
process, and to keep it in their minds, because this will be the one that could help them), he
said in a very hoping voice.
Manong Jun also emphasized that helping the communities to uplift their lives also means
making them realize the value of self-reliance. Manong Jun believes that he will be able
to help change the lives of the people because he has God with him. “Nu ayatem ni Apo
Dios ket nalaklakam nga maaramid iti trabaho ta tulungan naka. Masapol nga ayatem iti
padam nga tao, ta makita nga ay-ayatem met ni apo Diyos. Ken nu ayatem iti padam nga tao,
tumulong ka, haan lang nga iti spiritual need da wenno ketdi pati pay amin nga maitulong
mo iti panagbaliw iti biag da. Ta ‘what you give to others will be given back to you by God
twice as much’. (If you love God above all, you will be able to do your work easier because
he will help you. You have to love other people, because it reflects your love for God. And
if you love other people you have to help them, not just for their spiritual need, but to help
them uplift their lives. Because ‘what you give to others will be given back to you by God
twice as much.’¬)
Manong Jun is now assigned as one of the Community Empowerment Facilitators at Tineg,
Abra. Tineg is one of the municipalities to be implementing the project under the KALAHI
CIDSS-NCDDP, the expansion of the CDD strategy into a national scale.

“Iti Tineg ket maysa nga kaadayuan ken karirigatan nga municipalidad iti Abra. Sermatak
iti Tineg nga mairwar kuma ti yaman da ijay tapnu maipromote pay dagiti produkto da
kas kada orchids ken red rice lalo ijay Bangued. Maiaramidan kuma iti konkreto nga dalan
iti bar-barangay, farm-to-market roads, ken dalan nga mangiasideg kanyada ijay Bangued.
Ket, Uray manu aldaw ak nga aghike, manu nga karayan iti masapol nga ballasiwen, ket
icommit ko nga tumulong iti amin mga mabalin nga maitulong. Ken icommit ko nga talaga
nga immerse mi iti bagbagi mi ijay bar-barangay satnu mas maawatan mi pay iti sitwasyon
da. Ken icommit ko iti passion ko para kenya da, ta nu adda passion mo, awan ti maka-stop
kenka.” (Tineg is one of the farthest and poorest municipality of Abra. Tineg is known for
their beautiful orchids and organic red rice. I envision Tineg to be able to showcase their
major produce and market them at Bangued, the capital town of Abra. I am hoping for
a construction of concrete barangay roads, farm-to-market-roads, and road for an easier
access to Bangued. So, even if I have to hike for days, or cross how many rivers, I commit to
help in every way I can. I commit to fully immerse myself in the barangays to understand
their situation better. I commit my passion for them, because if you have the passion, no
one can stop you.), Manong Jun commits.
No doubts his passion for the project when he was a volunteer has been carried on as
he takes a new challenge as a Community Empowerment Facilitator. Manong Jun, is an
embodiment of empowerment through CDD such that from a volunteer, Manong Jun
continues to being an advocate of change.//
30

31
Bucay, Abra:
Taking the Challenge on Good Governance
By Strelle C. Quejado
Abra, one of the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region, has
been home to political controversies. For years, the province has been tagged
with several negative stereotypical titles. To Abrenians, Abra is a home to the great
mountains, scenic rivers, rich cultural history, appetizing delicacies, and exquisite
products. To others however, Abra, despite their efforts and strategies in promoting
its positive side, they still see the province as one the most dangerous in the North
due to its politics and their peace and order situation.
Abra has an IRA of not less than PhP 20-Million for each of the 27 municipalities as per data
from the Department of Budget and Management for the year 2012. However, according to
interviews with some of the community volunteers, such word as “development” is hardly
ever heard in the province because improvement on roads, infrastructure, and their social
and economic status is barely felt by the Abrenians.
Bucay, Abra and Kalahi-CIDSS
Bucay, Abra is a 5th class municipality with 21 barangays, and a home to 17,126 people
as per 2010 NSO Cencus of Population. With Abra’s political history, negative perception
to the government officials in the province is inevitable. Bucay, Abra’s Municipal Local
Government Unit (MLGU) has already been in a long pursuit away from the stereotypes of
Abra politicians.
It was year 2012, Bucay Municipal Mayor Victorino Baroña, Jr. signed a Memorandum of
Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their engagement
with the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of the agency. Kalahi-CIDSS, one of the core poverty
reduction programs of the government, started on 2003.
“Para akong nagkaroon ng kakampi noong dumating ang Kalahi-CIDSS (I feel like I gained
an ally when Kalahi-CIDSS came),” Mayor Baroña said. “Eto na yung inaantay natin na
para sa tao, para sa development (This is what we have been waiting for, for the people, for

Under the Mango Tree. Bucay Community Volunteers show that they do not need halls
or covered courts to hold barangay assemblies. Development does not need to be
complicated, all they need is a tree to shade them from the sun’s heat*
development),” he added.
With the Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinating Team (ACT), the people of Bucay was able
to gather primary information on their respective communities, evaluate their current
situation, and identify possible solutions for their problems and through these, the
community was able to identify sub-projects that would be implemented in their barangays.
Kalahi-CIDSS follows the community-driven development (CDD) process through the
Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), the 5-stage cycle which involves the
community in local planning, budgeting, implementing, and project monitoring.
“Idi, haan mi kayat nga mamati iti Kalahi-CIDSS, ta adda iti pammati mi ditoy nga ‘Diak
pati, diak kita’. Ngem gapu ta nakita mi iti naaramid iti Kalahi-CIDSS iti dadduma nga
barangay ditoy Bucay, kinayat mi nga mairaman kami met ita programa. (Before, we have
doubts on Kalahi-CIDSS because we have an expression here, “to see is to believe”. Then we
saw what Kalahi-CIDSS has done to other barangays here in Bucay, and we have wanted to
32

e included in the program),” Quimloong Barangay Captain Jimmy Cabaio said. Barangay
Quimloong was the most resistant and passive barangay of Bucay especially during the
Social Preparation Stage of their 1st Cycle. On the 2nd cycle, Barangay Quimloong was one
of the prioritized barangay with their proposed water system sub-project.
“Iti kayat mi pay ngamin ditoy Kalahi-CIDSS, naikkan iti boses dagiti tao. Idi ngamin, dagiti
proyekto iti barangay, puro amin barangay officials nu haan nga iti munisipyo ti agdesisyon.
Maragsakan kami nga makitinnulong ta naikkan da kami iti kapangyarian, iti power nga
agdesisyon. (What we appreciate in Kalahi-CIDSS, the people were given a voice. Before,
barangay projects are decided by the barangay officials alone, if not the municipal officials.
But we are now very happy to take part because we are now given the power, the power to
decide),” Community Volunteer Adela Somera shared.
33
Heart for development. Community Volunteer Gloria Baltar (in pink shirt) served as one
of the Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) volunteers for Brgy. Salnec, Bucay Abra.
She was also awarded as the 2014 Salamat Po National Awardee as Best Advocate for
Volunteerism*

“
Para akong nagkaroon ng kakampi noong dumating ang
Kalahi-CIDSS.
”
(I feel like I gained an ally when Kalahi-CIDSS came.)
_Mayor Victorino Jr.Baroña
Proud Volunteer
Awarded last January 2015 as Salamat Po! National Awardee for Best Advocate for
Volunteerism, Kalahi-CIDSS gained another champion in the name of Ms. Gloria S. Baltar.
During the first two cycles, Gloria has been one of the Participatory Situational Analysis
(PSA) volunteers. On the third cycle, she served as the Barangay Sub-Project Management
Committee Chairperson of Barangay Salnec. Gloria is now an acting secretary to the Mayor,
and is still one of the most active community volunteer.
“Kalahi-CIDSS pay laeng iti programa iti gobyerno nga nangipakita nga awan iti mapil-pili iti
bumarangay. Ditoy, you will feel included. Daytoy pay lang ti programa nga amin ket mabalin
nga agvolunteer, amin ket mabalin nga tumulong, amin ket mabalin nga makitrabaho.
(Kalahi-CIDSS is yet the only program of the government who has shown that no one is
favored in the community. Here, you will feel included. This is yet the only program where
anyone can be a volunteer, everyone can help, and everyone can work.),” Gloria starts to
share her story.
“Dagiti tao ditoy idi, uray awan experience da iti construction, bookkeeping, agmanage iti
kuwarta, makita nga willing da nga masuruan. Dagiti dadduma pay, natalna da, haan
managsa-o. Idi naki-join da iti Kalahi-CIDSS, nagbalin da nga aktibo. Dagiti volunteers
mi nga idi ket awan experience da, tatta nu agsa-o idyay sango, baka maibagam pay nga
engineer, wenno accountant, wenno budget officer ida. Haan kami nga managbain tattan. Ta
anya kuma iti ikabain mi? Maibaga mi pay nga limmaing kami. Amin, gapu iti Kalahi-CIDSS
ken iti panagpursige mi. (Even without experience on construction, bookkeeping, budget
management, the willingness to learn of people here before is very evident. There were
also some, who were very quiet. And when they joined Kalahi-CIDSS, they became active.
Those volunteers who do not have experience before, when they speak in front, you might
mistake them as engineers, accountants, or even budget officers. We are not timid anymore.
Because what are we supposed to be ashamed of? We can even say that we are better now.
All because of Kalahi-CIDSS and our persistence),” Gloria added.
34

“
Kalahi-CIDSS pay laeng iti programa iti gobyerno nga
nangipakita nga awan iti mapil-pili iti bumarangay. Ditoy,
you will feel included. Daytoy pay lang ti programa nga
amin ket mabalin nga agvolunteer, amin ket mabalin nga
tumulong, amin ket mabalin nga makitrabaho.
”
Kalahi-CIDSS is yet the only program of the government who has
shown that no one is favored in the community. Here, you will
feel included. This is yet the only program where anyone can be a
volunteer, everyone can help, and everyone can work.
_Gloria Baltar, Community Volunteer
35
During the Leaders’ Fellowship last February 2015 where she has been invited for a short
speech to share her experience, Gloria attested that Kalahi-CIDSS has been one of the
factors for the decreasing crime rate in their municipality. “Even our crime rate decreased.
Kasi bakit pa kailangang magnakaw? Pwede silang makitrabaho sa Kalahi-CIDSS. Pag tapos
na, pwede silang magtrabaho sa irigasyon, sa palayan, dahil maayos na ang patubig. May
water system na. Mas madali na din silang makapag-transport ng produkto nila dahil maayos
na rin ang mga kalsada. Ilan lang po yan sa naitulong nga programa sa amin. (Even our
crime rate decreased. Because why do they have to steal? They can now work with Kalahi-
CIDSS. If [the sub-project] is already finished, they can now work at the farm, because the
irrigation system is already improved. We already have water systems. It is also now easier
to transport their products because we now have better roads and access ways. These are
just some on how the program has helped us.),” Gloria shared during her testimonial.
“Hindi naman maitatanggi na noon, talagang ang focus namin ay ‘yung implementation ng
sub-projects. Kahit pa paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng mga ACT namin na reward lang namin ang
mga sub-projects, at ang main project ay iyong CEAC. Pero noong tumagal, narealize namin,
ang laki pala talaga ng naitulong ng mga natutunan namin sa CEAC, lalo na ‘yung mga
trainings para sa mga volunteers. Ngayon kung may proyekto ang munisipyo o ang barangay,
hindi na kami nahihiyang magtanong o makiparte. Kasi natuto kami sa tamang proseso at
alam na namin. (We will not deny that before, our focus is on the implementation of subprojects.
Even if the ACT keeps on reminding us that the sub-projects are just our rewards
and the main project is the CEAC. But as time goes by, we realized how everything we have
learned from CEAC has helped us, especially the trainings for the volunteers. Now, if there

are municipal or barangay projects, we are not ashamed to ask or to take part, because we
learned the right process and we already know.),” Gloria shared as she recollect how the
program has helped their town.
Passion for Development
Mayor Baroña also took an active part in the program implementation, especially in the
delivery of their local cash counterpart (LCC). Probably, DSWD has already gained Bucay’s
trust for its programs and services. The MLGU now annually allocates budget for their LCC
to Kalahi-CIDSS, Bottoms-up Budgeting (BUB), and other DSWD programs. Barangay
Captains are also encouraged to continuously support DSWD programs and services by
allocating counterpart from their barangay budget.
With Kalahi-CIDSS’ principles on participatory, transparency, and accountability, the
MLGU has served as the role model to the BLGUs in becoming a participatory, transparent,
and accountable community. “Monthly meetings are held wherein every department at the
municipal hall will do an updating on their monthly accomplishments, budget reports, or
if we have issues and concerns that needs to be addressed. We also hold weekly executive
meeting of all community volunteer,” Mayor Baroña shared. He even joins Barangay
Assemblies – not to intervene, but to observe.
To others, Abra may have been known for its political turmoil or even for the various political
killings. But, every Abrenian would wish for these perceptions to change. Every Abrenian
would be willing to prove that there will always be room for change, for development. As
Gloria continues to advocate Kalahi-CIDSS and the CDD process, her heart for a better
Abra continues to wish for something more. “Malaking pagbabago po ang nangyari sa Bucay
dahil sa Kalahi-CIDSS. Kung lahat po sa gobyerno ay susundin ang proseso ng Kalahi-CIDSS,
siguro po, doon lamang po talaga natin masasabi na wala nang korupsyon. Hindi lang dito sa
Bucay, hindi lang dito sa Abra, hindi lang sa Cordillera, kundi sa buong Pilipinas.” (Kalahi-
CIDSS made a very big impact to Bucay. If everyone in the government will follow the
Kalahi-CIDSS process, maybe, that will be the time we can say that corruption no longer
exists. Not only here in Bucay, not only here in Abra, not only in the Cordillera, but in the
Philippines).
Mayor Baroña is now one of Kalahi-CIDSS’ champion for improved local governance. He
continues to support, and shares to fellow Cordilleran politicians his experiences and gains
from the program and what Kalahi-CIDSS has done to Bucay, Abra. “Even without Kalahi-
CIDSS, let’s continue to do the process. For years, it did something good to Bucay, this time,
it’s our part to do something better.”//
36

Being a woman is an amazing journey, especially
now that I’m expecting a new life inside of me. Every
stage of my life unfolds changes. Change begets new
things. This follows that new things beget beginnings.
And I realized, as a woman goes on to the journey of
womanhood, with the changes and beginnings, she is
evolving into a woman who has the courage to take ways
and choose her own road of happiness.
A Woman’s Drive for
Happiness
37
By Mayrose Urbano-Cariño
When I went to Langiden, Abra, I had the chance to meet women who have
courage and compassion not only for their family, but for their communities.
Maricel Berońa of Sitio Nalnas, Bgy. Dalayap is one of these women. She stepped
out on her comfort zone and did something for her family, not noticing that her
simple act of determination indeed did something for her own community.
Maricel’s move to Langiden is one of her life changing decisions. She was originally from
Florida, Pampanga until she met a man from Langiden, Abra and unexpectedly fell in love.
They stayed in Pampanga in a while, as Glenn, her husband was finishing his construction
work and later decided to settle in Langiden.
Moving means a change. For Maricel to adjust to various changes she encountered, such
as new environment, new house, new neighbours, new or additional role and new culture
was really a challenge she smilingly described especially on their language and culture. But
she accepted these changes. Glenn actually testified that she was eager to learn. She is a fast
learner and now a fluent Ilocano speaker, her husband added.
“Nakapag-adjust sak met ken naayatakkon ditoy nga maibagag tatta nga balaykon” (I came
to adjust and love this place I call now my home), Maricel shared. They build their home
with three children, namely Glemar who is 11 years old, Giselle, nine and their youngest,

Princess, five. Taking good care of her family is her number one priority, she explained as
she knew the difference growing without her own mother. Though she has stepmother, still
she longed for her own. In spite of this, she is known in their place being diligent, reliable
and friendly. “Dagidyay gagayyem ko, ibagbaga da nga kasla awan ti problemak ta di da
makita nga malidlidayak. Ta gamin ket pilpilyek latta nga agbalen nga naragsak” (My friends
even thought that as if I don’t have any problem since they don’t see me sad. This is because
I choose to be happy), Maricel said laughingly.
Her positive outlook in life makes her open to changes, especially for the better. That’s why
when Kalahi-CIDSS was launched and implemented in their municipality, she became
one of the supporters of the Project. From attending to every Barangay Assembly to
participating to their sub-project implementation, Maricel was there. She even one of the
women community volunteers who joined the labor of their flood control, their prioritized
sub-project.
Since Maricel and Glenn became community volunteers, at first, they got a problem in
managing their time with their activities on Kalahi-CIDSS, time with their family and also
with Glenn’s work as tricycle driver. But, to give up or quit on Maricel’s role as a laborer
never came as an option to solve their problem, instead they talked and agreed to balance
their roles and to have a division of work as Maricel narrated.
Aside from their involvement with Kalahi-CIDSS, Maricel’s family is a Pantawid Pamilya
beneficiary. However, the grantee is named to Glenn’s mother since they stayed before in
her house. But, now that they have their own house, Municipal Social Welfare Development
Officer Layla Visoria said that she and the Pantawid Municipal Link are coordinating this
change of grantee case so that Maricel’s family will be the direct beneficiary. But either ways,
Maricel and Glenn do their best on their responsibilities as parents to their children and
also follow their Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary duties in order to have a healthy growing
family as they learned on Pantawid’s family development session as well as on Kalahi-
CIDSS gender sensitivity training.
Their active participation to these DSWD Programs capacitated them to be better persons.
The trainings and orientations they attended especially when they had the gender sensitivity
training (GST) were enriching. As Maricel recounted on their GST experience, Glenn
was originally hesitant in attending because he thought it’s only for women, fortunately
he joined after the community facilitator corrected his notion. Maricel was thankful on
this training because it opened progressive learning to them and to their fellow volunteers.
She even noticed Glenn on becoming more supportive and loving. And their solution of
having a time management to make their multiple roles easier and attainable was one of
38

their practical applications from what they learned on this training.
Armed with learning and experiences, Maricel has the initiative to look on what she can
contribute for her family’s development. When she learned that their community’s subproject
will start its implementation stage, she volunteered to be a regular laborer. Initially,
her practical reason in joining the paid labor was to add or support her husband in
generating their family’s income. She was motivated to work hard for her family. She woke
up early to work on their flood control. Aside from enjoying her work, being friendly as
she is, Maricel also gained new friends. “Nariknak nga adda ti pakikisama, tinnulungan ken
diyay spirit ti bayanihan kanyami, isunga mayat ti pinagtrabaho mi nga agkakadua” (I feel
the camaraderie and the spirit of bayanihan that’s why we enjoyed working together) she
said.
As she continued working on their sub-project, she then realized that it was not their
honorarium they received on their labor, her reason became to support their community’s
dream. And according to her, experiencing hot weather while working, hot and heavy stones
to move and arrange was just a little sacrifice for them as community laborers because their
“
ud ko ken naragsakak ditoy.
”
Kayat ko talaga ti ar-arramidek ditoy Kalahi-CIDSS.
Kinanayonak nga busy ken adda kinanayon nga magungun-
I really like what I do in Kalahi-CIDSS Project. It keeps me busy and
productive and I’m happy on it.
_Maricel Berońa, Community Volunteer
goal of wanting to finish their sub-project on time to avoid possible disaster which they
experienced before was bigger than any hindering factors of this goal.
“Kayat ko talaga ti ar-arramidek ditoy Kalahi-CIDSS. Kinanayonak nga busy ken adda
kinanayon nga magungun-ud ko ken naragsakak ditoy” (I really like what I do in Kalahi-
CIDSS Project. It keeps me busy and productive and I’m happy on it), Maricel described on
her engagement to the Project. Her awareness on gender and community empowerment
widens her horizon on opportunities and good changes on her life, on her family and even
on her community. She also learned that if women limit themselves and just stick inside
their houses, they will not know their opportunities.
Being an active community volunteer was not that gradual. It also undergoes a process just
39

like Kalahi-CIDSS. As for Maricel, she admitted that at first, even she really liked the Project,
she thought that her participation on Kalahi-CIDSS will affect her other roles in her family.
But with her open mind and heart, she proceeded and learned new things which she never
imagined. “Gapu ti Kalahi-CIDSS, na-realize ko nga babae man o lalaki basta kayat na nga
aramiden ti pag-imbagan na, agaramid nga agaramid isuna ti paraan. Ken ti Kalahi-CIDSS
ket haan laeng para kanyak wenno para ti rang-ay ti pamilyak no di ket para ti pagruk-ay ti
komyunidad tayu” (Because of Kalahi-CIDSS, I realized that women and men, as long as
she or he wants to be better, she or he will find ways. And Kalahi-CIDSS is not only for me
or for my family’s welfare, it’s for our community’s development as well), she said.
A dependable daughter, understanding wife, loving mother, jolly friend, and dedicated
community volunteer rolled into one woman. Maricel really evolved into a woman she
chose to be. As they say, happiness is a choice and Maricel acknowledged this.
Choosing and deciding are very crucial moves in life, those life turning moves, because they
determine what you will become and where you will be. And I know that Maricel will have
other sets of choosing and deciding as she goes by on her journey.
To Maricel, or to us women, as we continue to inspire and get inspired and empowered in
our journeys, let us remind ourselves this quotation from Helen Keller – I am only one; but
still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do
something I can do. //
40

Of Elders and Culture
Rise and Shine. Though a small community, Besao continues to be one of the most
active when it comes to community projects*
In the landlocked municipality of Besao in Mountain Province, the mountain
ranges have kept culture and traditions intact for centuries until the introduction
of concrete roads and large scale infrastructure.
Dominantly inhabited by members of the Kankana-ey ethno-linguistic tribe, the town is
accessible by road by passing through the municipalities of Sabangan and Sagada.
As physical developments paved way for the rural folks to gain easier access to needs and
commodities, some cultural practices and values started to wane. Even the traditional
community structure was affected by the changes prompting the elders, revered the wise
magi of the community, to resonate objections.
However, as it has done for years, Besao endured such drastic transformation and adapted
its own ways to weave back its waning culture and traditions onto its ongoing industrial
modernization.
41

“
The program is unlike others that came. It revived our
bayanihan system because in the process we needed to work
together for a common cause, for our community, without
any payment.
”
_Modesto Gaab, MPDC
Cultural Revival
“The coming of projects and programs before, be it government or not, shattered some of
the cultural practices once shared by communities,” Modesto Gaab, the town’s Municipal
Project Development Coordinator, said.
In particular, Gaab mentioned the vanishing practice of the “og-ogbo” and the “galatis”
which are Besao’s version of the “bayanihan.” Before, a farmer shares the labor of toiling a
neighbor’s field for free then they both work on his soil after but now, people till their own
land, Gaab lamented.
Infrastructure projects such as concrete roads have sort of created an easier access for a
farmland because of its proximity to road but not to the other. This prompts the farmer
farther away from the access road to dedicate more effort in developing his own land since
it needs more work than the one near the road.
This resulted to a demand for paid labor which fostered the need to compensate efforts thus
weaning the “og-ogbo” and “galatis” practices, Gaab said.
However, the entry of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) spun a revitalization of these practices through
its Community Enhancement Activity Cycle (CEAC), it main tool in implementation.
“The program is unlike others that came. It revived our bayanihan system because in the
process we needed to work together for a common cause, for our community, without any
payment,” Gaab explained.
Launched in Besao in 2010, the Kalahi-CIDSS fosters local empowerment through
community volunteerism which is considered the main project of the program.Gaab said
it was not easy at first but people got caught up in the process and soon sub-projects were
42

eing constructed through community efforts.
People who were not able to render free labor because of their busy schedule willingly
shelled out certain amounts for meals or snacks while others simply donated in kind, he
added.
Besao garnered back-to-back awards as the Best Sub-Project Implementer in 2011 and 2012.
“It is very gratifying to see people volunteering to come work together to finish a project or
a task like in the olden days,” Besao Mayor Wellington Pooten expressed.
Because of this positive effect, he further said they have adopted the CEAC in the
implementation of other non-Kalahi-CIDSS program including barangay projects. “Insubli
na di mayat ay ugali ed nabaon (It brought back good practices from the past),” Pooten said
in vernacular, referring to the Kalahi-CIDSS.
Cultural Transformation
As a community deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, the elders have a respected status
in the society and are looked onto as the “decision makers”.
“The council of elders would decide for the community since their decisions are accepted as
the best for the community because of their vast experiences,” Pooten, himself a member of
the council of elders in his community, explained.
However, this set-up faced change with the introduction of the Kalahi-CIDSS.
The implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS through the CEAC gave voice to the “silent
majority” and those who have accepted that decisions should rest with the “opinion leaders,”
according to Gaab.
“The CEAC activities have provided opportunities for them to participate in the community
decision-making processes,” said the MPDC.
The CEAC involves any member of the community to participate in identifying and
prioritizing community problems and issues, as well as in giving solutions to the problems.
“(Because of this) elders felt threatened because the power to decide was no longer inherent
only to them,” Gaab explained. However, the excellent results of the program forged a
deeper respect on the program from the elders and eased the tension arising.
43

Smooth Travel. Roads going to each community in Besao is now slowly being cemented
as years pass*
“Later on, they positioned themselves on the process,” Gaab mused.
Starting on the second cycle of the program, the most of the elders volunteered to be part of
the grievance committee. Besao is now on its fourth cycle of implementation.
It was, in a sense, a cultural transformation for Besao –an interweaving of an established
societal norm and a beneficial change.
“(Their role as grievance committee) was very appropriate because being an IP community,
the role of elders in the resolution of grievances is critical,” Gaab stated. He added a closer
look at decisions made by these elders would show that their primary concern is to preserve
the unity of the community.
Change may be imminent and unpredictable but Besao will surely endure and adapt as it
has done before.
“Di importante para sin ipugaw (Importantly, it is for the people),” Pooten mused.//
44

Malabbaga children
“
Tatta ket makasapatos kamin, toy ading min ket agay-ayam
da pay idiay kalsada no panag-aawid.
”
We can already wear shoes, even our younger siblings can play along
the road on the way home.
_Prince Reyes, Malabbaga Elementary School Student Body President
concrete road may just be an ordinary physical structure for most people, but
A for Barangay Malabbaga in La Paz, Abra, it is everything they hoped for.
Malabbaga is one of the barangays in the municipality of La Paz. It is home to 312 households
whose main livelihood is rice farming and trading, and animal husbandry. It hosts an
elementary school and a day care center with total enrollees of 240.
For the longest time, villagers have suffered from walking through unpaved and usually
muddy road within the barangay. School children were the most affected by this deplorable
road condition of the community.
In a group interview with Grade 6 pupils, they recounted that they would always reach
school or get home with muddy footwears.
Prince Reyes, the student body president of Malabbaga Elementary School said that before,
they would always wear slippers rather than shoes since it is more convenient to wash them
when they reach school and vice-versa.
He added, “Dagidiay ubbing met ket ubbaen ti nanang da nga ipan eskuelaan ta maigal-galis
da (those who are younger than us were being piggybacked by their mothers because they
would always stumble).”
Lorna Belena, principal of Malabbaga Elementary School, also recalled, “One night when I
45

says goodbye to muddy slippers
Walking home nice and dry. In their slippers, students of Malabbaga Elementary School
enjoy walking home after they were dismissed from their classes*
was rushing to attend a wake, my sandals were stuck on the mud so I opted to remove my
shoes and walk barefooted.”
Likewise, Barangay Captain Romulo Espiritu shared that farm produce were sometimes left
rotten because the farmers were hesitant to tread the muddy road.
Another villager, Jovy Ola, recalled that there was a time when a woman in labor was being
rushed to the hospital, but with the unpaved road, the tricycle had to be pushed by a couple
of men.
46

Long wait is over
In 2014, however, their longtime ordeal finally ended when their village became a beneficiary
of the KapitBisig-Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) which is being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD).
Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that provides citizens the opportunity to
identify and implement community projects that would address their basic needs. In most
cases, the chosen projects come in the form of small-scale infrastructures such as school
buildings, day care centers, health stations, pathways, farm-to-market roads, and irrigation
systems, among others.
The village received a funding support amounting to P1, 266, 166.74 from Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) through KALAHI-CIDSS and P243, 115.72 from the
Municipal Local Government Unit of La Paz totaling to P1, 509, 282.46 for the concreting
of the road from Sitio Salindeg to Malabbaga Elemtary School.
Of children and education.
While a concreted
road means faster
transportation, for
school children it
gives them safe and
comfortable access to
education. This is true in
the case of Malabbaga
pupils wherein the
concreting of the road in
their community allowed
them to wear shoes and
enjoy being children.
47

“
One night when I was rushing to attend a wake, my sandals
were stuck on the mud so I opted to remove my shoes and walk
barefooted.
”
_Lorna Belena, Principal of Malabbaga Elementary School
For Prince, the concrete road allowed them to enjoy some childhood perks.
“Tatta ket makasapatos kamin, toy ading min ket agay-ayam da pay idiay kalsada no panagaawid
(We can already wear shoes, even our younger siblings can play along the road on
the way home),” he said.
Prince and his classmates cheerfully expressed that with the concrete road, they can reach
school clean and dry.
Some of them stated that they do not have to worry carrying their younger siblings during
the rainy season when the road gets worse.
For Lorna, she is now happy and confident walking through the road even at night. She is
also thankful that the school children are now safe on their way to school.
“Dagitoy ubbing ket haan dan nga marigatan magna ti rough road nga umay ditoy eskuwelaan
ken haan dan nga nagrugit no agay-ayam da man dita kalsada (It is not difficult for these
children to walk through rough road to come to school now and they do not get soiled even
if they play along the road),” she added.
For village chieftain Espiritu, the concrete road has provided more economic opportunities
for farmers in the community.
With the concrete road enabling travel become faster and easier, he observed that farmers
are now working double time to ensure that they have more produce to bring to town.
As a whole, for the people of Malabbaga, the concrete has road paved the way for the change
that they have long waited for.//
48

Ab-abuyog:
49
Home to Whang-od, a famed traditional tattooist and Macli’ing Dulag, a
renowned tribal hero, Tinglayan in Kalinga Province can be considered as a
seat of cultural heritage.
Like most indigenous communities, bayanihan is among the cultural practices in this
community. For Tinglayan, they call it ab-abuyog. This was a practice where farmers help
each other in tilling their farms.
However, time caused the deliberate relapse of this heritage.
Years passed, ab-abuyog became a forgotten culture in Tinglayan but has now found its way
back to weave the community.
“For a time, we forgot how our ancestors built this community without a formal government”
says Tinglayan Mayor Johnny Maymaya Sr. “All they did was just help each other build these
communities,” he pondered.
Not until the Department of Social Welfare and Development introduced the Kapit-Bisig
Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Service (Kalahi-
CIDSS) Project in the municipality in 2011. Maymaya acknowledged that the best gift
Kalahi-CIDSS has given to his town is the revival of bayanihan spirit.
The Kalahi-CIDSS Project is one of the core poverty reduction programs of the Philippine
Government which aims to empower poor communities through the community-driven
development (CDD) approach. This is an approach that gathers communities and gives
them the control over planning, decisions-making and implementing projects for local
development.
Tinglayan and CDD
A fourth class municipality, this town is home to 12, 557 people majority of which are

weaving communities to achieve
desired development
Indigenous People of Kalinga.
“In Kalahi [CIDSS], they require community volunteers to work on the project and people
have their own lives to deal with so it was hard convincing people to volunteer,” Mayor
Maymaya said.
Since it is a requirement, the community just complied without realizing that along the
process, they are already reliving the values of ab-abuyog which is an old-age practice of
their ancestors.
Maymaya recounted they had to strategize in order to get the support of the community
“
For a time, we forgot how our ancestors built this community
without a formal government. All they did was just help each
other build these communities
”
_Johnny Maymaya Sr., Municipal Mayor of Tinglayan, Kalinga
members. On the part of barangay officials, Maymaya says he holds the release of their
allowances, if they cannot deliver their responsibilities for the projects. “I know this is a bit
too much but look at what it brought us,” he exclaimed.
With unwavering hope of the local government unit, the community eventually started to
work together for the sub-projects they themselves have identified.
After three years of working with Kalahi-CIDSS, Tinglayan has already put up 38
infrastructure projects.
“We now have barangay health stations, day care centers, school buildings, river control,
50

Deligence of a Kalinga Woman. Carefully, an elderly woman in Kalinga gathers bundles of
rice left for drying on the grasses. A total of 9 units multi-purpose pavement were
constructed in Pinukpuk, Kalinga with financial assistance from Makamasang Tugon*
village water systems, Communal Irrigation System, multi-purpose building, pathways and
footbridges,” Maymaya beamed.
The mayor said only the national government can fund these types of projects, since their
limited budget has always restrained them from doing so.
On supporting Kalahi-CIDSS
Tinglayan has played an important role in weaving its communities by showing commitment
and support to Kalahi-CIDSS for them to move closer to development.
51
“We invest a little but we get a lot more,” Maymaya readily said when asked about why
he fully supported Kalahi-CIDSS. With the municipality’s limited budget, Maymaya said
they cannot accomplish these projects alone. “Our municipality cannot provide fund to

uild schools, pathways and irrigation systems to its 20 barangays so for years that was our
struggle,” he said.
Maymaya said he was convinced on how Kalahi-CIDSS pan out so he lobbied to his
constituents and his fellow officials the use of their 20 percent LGU development fund as
counterpart for Kalahi-CIDSS projects. This is being recognized as a good practice here in
the Cordillera.
Maymaya recognized supporting Kalahi-CIDSS has helped the LGU since there is an
improved participation among the communities, there is enhanced leadership and especially
the bayanihan spirit which was revived.
“The value of our ancestors has resurfaced again and I believe this has brought us to
accomplish these sought after development,” he says.
On sustainability
With the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), a tool being used in the
implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS, sustainability is guarded.
This was affirmed by Maymaya when he said ownership and partnership is very important
for sustainability of these projects.
“The communities own these projects since they were the ones who identified, planned and
implemented so we can be safe that they will take care of them,” he added.
“I really admire the volunteers because they generously prioritized working for the
community instead of attending to their individual concerns,” Maymaya lauded.
Maymaya said Kalahi-CIDSS has made a visible difference in his town. Their communities
are now closely tied through the revived culture of ab-abuyog not only to till their farms but
to cultivate a more developed community for the future generation of Tinglayan.
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In the early morning of August 20, people began showing up at the Municipal
Hall of Besao, Mountain Province. By early morning, around 400 people coming
from 13 barangays of Besao started to gather in front of the Municipal Hall.
Their purpose: to create the longest human chain of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-
Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), with funding
support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Their goal, however, goes
beyond merely setting a record as they aim to help construct a school building for high
school students in one of the town’s barangays.
Using the vehicles lent by several barangays – 4x4s, trucks, and jeepneys – the volunteers,
most of whom are from the other 13 barangays of Besao, proceeded to Barangay Tamboan,
where the school building will be constructed, heedless of the fact that Typhoon Ineng was
threatening to batter Northern Luzon with strong winds and rain.
Undaunted
Bayanihan spirit
leads to the longest human chain in Kalahi–CIDSS history
By Strelle Quejado
Besao is considered one of the best-performing communities in Kalahi-CIDSS, a program
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Tamboan, one of its
barangays, is bounded by Quirino, Ilocos Sur and some villages in Tubo, Abra.
With the implementation of the K-12 program of the Department of Education (DepEd),
schools with limited classrooms needed to expand to support the larger number of students.
Tamboan National High School is one of these, particularly since some students coming
from Quirino and Tubo also go there because of the barangay’s proximity to these towns.
One of the buildings used in the campus was old and decrepit, putting the lives of the
students at risk.
“Iyong Grade 7 at Grade 8 na mga estudyante namin, doon sila sa lumang building. Dilapidated
na at unsafe na, lalo na ‘yung foundations ng building. Makakatulong talaga ito sa mga bata
(Our Grades 7 and 8 students use the old building. It is already dilapidated and unsafe,

Chain of development. Age, gender, and profession saw no bounds when the bayanihan
spirit pulled the Besao residents to work together, hauling sand for the construction of a
school building in Barangay Tamboan. Together, they formed the longest human chain
in Kalahi-CIDSS and Besao history*
especially its foundations. The new building will really help the children),” said Teacher
Gwen, who teaches at the school. At present, Tamboan High School has more than 30 grade
7 students in the old building.
In the recent cycle of Kalahi-CIDSS in Besao, the community of Tamboan proposed the
construction of a one-unit two-classroom school building, amounting to P1,222,826, for
their high school. Of this amount, P780,426 will be funded by Kalahi-CIDSS and MCC,
P337,000 by the local and barangay local government units, and P105,400 through the inkind
counterpart of the community, majority of which will be for 60 cubic meters of sand
that will be used during construction.
Unfortunately, the proposal of Tamboan was not prioritized during the Municipal Inter-
Barangay Forum for Participatory Resource Allocation (MIBF-PRA), the activity in Kalahi-
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CIDSS which provides communities within the municipality the opportunity to prioritize
the projects that will receive funding from the program. Undaunted, Mayor Wellington
Pooten requested for, and was granted, additional funding to accommodate Tamboan and
Agawa, the other barangay that was not prioritized.
As the community committed in their proposal, they needed to provide sand as part of their
counterpart for the project. Their closest source for this is Basa River, located about 1,500
meters from the project site. Through a community assembly, the residents of Tamboan
decided to mobilize people for a “Men Og-ogbo Tako ay Men Galatis” activity, or a workfor-a-cause
activity, in which og-ogbo means “bayanihan” vernacular, and Galatis “free
labor”. Og-ogbo and Galatis is still being practiced by Besao communities – their successful
implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS is proof of this, as the program strongly relies on
community volunteers for the implementation of its sub-projects – but this was their first
attempt to do this as one municipality. Their goal was to mobilize at least 500 participants
for the activity, in which a person passes a sackful of sand to the next individual until it
“
Kami po, lalo na at hindi kami nakapag-aral, nakikita po namin
na balang-araw ang project na ito ang magtatawid sa amin sa
kahirapan. Mabibigyan po ng tsansang makapag-aral nang maayos
ang mga anak namin. Inulan po ‘yung activity natin ngayon, pero
nakita ko pong sobrang dami pa rin ng pumunta at tinuloy pa rin
magbuhat kahit sobrang lakas na ng ulan.
”
reaches the project site at the Tamboan National High School from the Basa River.
Longest chain
By mid-morning, more people joined the activity. When Typhoon Ineng made good on her
promise and brought the rains, some began distributing large plastic bags to the volunteers
of all ages and backgrounds – students, parents, tribal elders, LGU officials, police officers,
and others – so they can use these as makeshift raincoats.
“Hindi na po namin naisip kung malapit na ba naming maabot ‘yung 60 cubics [meters] na
buhangin, o kung mabigat ‘yung sako dahil sa ulan, o kung madulas na ‘yung daan. Ang
naiisip po namin habang nagbubuhat kami, malapit nang magkaroon ng bagong classroom
‘yung mga anak namin (We were not thinking about whether we could reach 60 cubic
meters of sand, or that the sacks were getting heavy because of the rain, or that the path
was getting slippery. All we thought about while lifting was that our children will finally
be able to have a new classroom)”, shared Isaias Palonga, the leader of the Kalahi-CIDSS
community volunteers of Tamboan.

At some point, however, the rain became too strong and the road too slippery, forcing the
volunteers to stop hauling. By the time they ended, 721 people joined the Men Og-ogbo
Tako ay Men Galatis activity, who helped haul nearly half of the required amount of sand
for the sub-project.
Even though they were not able to reach their target, the volunteers nonetheless were happy
about the turnout of their hard work, so much so that they danced in the rain to celebrate
their success – represented by each sack they brought to the project site.
“Masaya po na sa ganitong edad po, may nagawa po akong malaki para sa Tamboan, lalo
na sa mga susunod pang generations ng mag-aaral dito sa school namin. Sabi po ng teacher
namin, ang tamang edukasyon po ang mag-aangat sa amin sa kahirapan. Pakiramdam ko
po ngayon, worthy yung sacrifice namin ngayong araw dahil ilang bata po ang makakapagaral,
ilang pamilya po ang unti-unti maaangat sa kahirapan dito sa amin (I am happy that
even at my young age, I was able to do something big for my community, which the next
generations of students will benefit from. Our teacher said that good education will help us
lift ourselves from poverty. I feel that our sacrifice today is worth it; because more students
will be able to study, more families will be able to slowly lift themselves from poverty),”
shared Roan Milan, a Grade 10 student.
Isaias was emotional at the end of the activity because of its successful turnout. He said,
“Kami po, lalo na at hindi kami nakapag-aral, nakikita po namin na balang-araw ang project
na ito ang magtatawid sa amin sa kahirapan. Mabibigyan po ng tsansang makapag-aral nang
maayos ang mga anak namin. Inulan po ‘yung activity natin ngayon, pero nakita ko pong
sobrang dami pa rin ng pumunta at tinuloy pa rin magbuhat kahit sobrang lakas na ng ulan
(We, especially us who were not able to study, envision that this project will help us get out
of poverty. This will give our children the chance to study well. Even though our activity got
rained on, I saw just how far we have come, and that we continued to work even when the
rainfall got stronger).”
He revealed that others were already asking when they will continue their project. He said,
“Natapos na ‘yong activity pero may mga nagtatanong pa po kung kelan ulit ang susunod na
schedule. Yung sinasabi po nila na “faith in humanity,”napatunayan ko po iyon ngayon (Our
activity may have ended, but there are already those asking when we can continue. We
proved today that ‘faith in humanity’ is true).”
Today, these people have set a record – they now bear the title “The Longest Human Chain”
in the history of Kalahi-CIDSS. More than that, these people realized they were able to do
something more important – they were able to bring hope to future generations who will
benefit from the school building in this remote village. //
56

Senior citizen finds joy in volunteerism
after retirement
57
At first glance, Illuminada Aveňo is not any different from a typical woman
you see in Patoc, Bucay, Abra. She wakes up early in the morning, drinks her
coffee, walks around the community, calls and texts her friends and family and
does backyard gardening. But once you’ll meet her, you’ll discover she is far from
ordinary.
A retired elementary school teacher, Illuminada or Manang Lumen as she is fondly called is
a dedicated community volunteer now.
In her barangay, she heads three different committees acting as a president of Senior Citizen
Organization, leading the community as a member of Health and Sanitation Committee,
and serving as chairperson of Barangay Sub-project Management Committee (BSPMC) of
Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services
(Kalahi-CIDSS) Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Not bad for someone who is already in her early 70’s.
Proving that senior citizens are still productive members of the community, Manang
Lumen started to become a bona fide community volunteer at the age of 65 after retiring
as a teacher. But even while teaching, she was a volunteer adult teacher busily educating
learners interested in reading, writing, and mathematics.
After her retirement, she became a member of the Barangay Health and Sanitation
Committee where she leads the community on clean-up drives. Together with the members
of the committee, she also assesses households who have no toilets and recommends them
for toilet bowl assistance.
When the opportunity to become a part of their community’s development came, she gladly
participated and was chosen as BSPMC Chairperson in 2012. “When staff from Kalahi-
CIDSS came here, they helped us identify the most important need of our community
and we unanimously agreed that it’s water system because potable water doesn’t reach our
houses,” Manang Lumen said in vernacular.
The Kalahi-CIDSS Project is one of the core poverty reduction programs of the Philippines
which aims to empower poor communities through the community-driven development

Face to face with the young generation. Manang Lumen appears wistful as she looks at a
distance while a child innocently stares at her*
(CDD) approach which gives communities the control over planning, decisions-making
and implementing projects for local development.
In 2013, the barangay was able to complete a pump house and a tank and is stillfully
operational. The structure costs PhP634, 364.00 financed by the Municipal Local
Government (MLGU) of Bucay, Abra.
With the pump house and water tank as their kick-off, Manang Lumen and her fellow
volunteers submitted another proposal for the construction of a footbridge across Patoc
River, a tributary of Abra River which will connect their barangay to Barangay Dugong. The
footbridge is supposed to provide an easier and faster access to the main road.
Unfortunately, they were not prioritized during the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum
(MIBF) in 2013 as the budgetary requirement is not feasible at that time. MIBF-PRA is an
activity in Kalahi-CDSS where proposals are evaluated and prioritized by the communities
58

themselves.
Without losing hope, they submitted another proposal in 2014 for the construction of
drainage culvert across Patoc River and finally received Php 1, 800, 441.36 grant from
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through Millennium Challenge Account-
Philippines (MCA-P).
This was augmented by the MLGU and Barangay Local government Unit providing PhP
358, 974.95 thus totaling to PhP 2, 159, 416.31.
After one cycle, the community was able to complete the drainage culvert which also now
serves as a bridge to reach Barangay Patoc. Prior the drainage culvert’s construction, people
have to cross Abra River by foot. Today, the people of Patoc enjoy leaving and returning to
their village with safety.
Wheels and Water Experience
Completing the project was not a bed of roses even with the financial and technical assistance
provided by the Kalahi-CIDSS Project. Manang Lumen said it was difficult to mobilize the
59
Left Behind. The original manual water pump in Patoc seems abandoned now that the
community has their water system near their houses*

“
Potable water was brought near our houses unlike before
wherein we have to go down with our pails to fetch water.
”
_Marcelo Catriz, Project Beneficiary
people. “During the start of the project, people did not believe that [the program] would
bring development to the community” she said.
With only few people believing and volunteering for the construction of the water system
and the drainage culvert, they were able to pull it off.
“Now that the projects were completed and fully operational, 80% of the community
appreciated it and now are excited to propose a project again. “People began to realize that
volunteerism is the most important thing in a project,” Manang Lumen said in delight.
These achievements seem to be very ordinary but for the people of Patoc, it is only after the
completion of the project that they got to experience travelling in and out of their village on
wheels without manually pulling or pushing their motorcycles, tricycle or jeepneys across
the 15 meter wide Patoc River.
Marcelo Catriz, 56, one of the beneficiaries who experienced firsthand crossing through the
drainage culvert said that the drainage culvert brought a big change in their community.
“Before, crossing the Patoc River was terribly difficult. The community usually crosses it on
foot,” he said in vernacular.
“Our economic activities here improved so it is faster and easier to trade our products now.
Before, we transport our rice for trading by letting buffalos drag it. Now we can use vehicles
to transport it,”Catriz added.
Catriz was also nostalgic when he talked about the water system which has a functioning
tank and faucet. “Potable water was brought near our houses unlike before wherein we have
to go down with our pails to fetch water,” he said.
Since its establishment, the community has one common manual pump which is located
just 25 meters before the entrance to the community.
Manang Lumen considers the bridge and the water system as a stepping stone in restoring
the greatness of Patoc. She dreams that Patoc will continue to gear towards development.//
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“Kaya natin
ang PAGBABAGO

Kung MAGKAKAPIT-
BISIG tayo”
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Editorial Board
Writers
Mayrose Carino
Isidro Bulayo
Gemmuel Daria
Strelle Quejado
Karlston Lapniten
Jasmin Kiaso
Editors
Nerizza Faye Villanueva
Janet Armas

Department of Social Welfare and Development
Cordillera Administrative Region
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS)
#40 North Drive, Baguio City, Philippines
Telephone/Fax Numbers (074) 300-50-70/422-79-17
http://kalahi.dswd.gov.ph