Kalahi-CIDSS promotes environmental protection

Cebu City  – The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan) recently conducted a thematic environmental protection and management seminar (TEMS) held at Hotel Elizabeth.

Regional directors, area coordinators, community facilitators, volunteers, deputy area coordinators, representatives of LGUs from different regions who participated the TEMS training in 2013, shared their gains, experiences and application of TEMS through Kalahi-CIDSS implementation.

Its goal is to make innovative pathways for building community resiliency and develop communities to be equipped with knowledge on environmental responsibility.

The challenge among DSWD staff regarding the “new normal” is to endeavor in building the attitude of the community to be resilient against disasters. It is also important to help the people develop sustainable ways that will support community growth.

The seminar also aimed at providing participants a venue for knowledge sharing on different strategies in environmental management and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) implemented at different levels – national government, local government and community.

Under the implementation aspect, DSWD Region 11 bagged the Best Practice in Promoting Community Environment and Awareness.

Kalahi-CIDSS now gears up for its national scale-up within the year.

The expansion of Kalahi-CIDSS to NCDDP (National Community-Driven Development Program) will cover 847 poor municipalities nationwide.  (DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos)