Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III is currently implementing its Barangay Sub-Project of two (2) units Classroom at Barangay Mataas na Kahoy, Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija. The barangay was one of the fourteen 14 sub-projects who were prioritized for the 1st cycle with a total project cost of Php1,658,200.00.

“Sa aming barangay, kami ay may tatlong kababaihan na kasama sa construction at talaga naming buong lakas na nagtatrabaho at tumutulong sa mga kalalakihan upang matapos agad ang aming proyekto”, Barangay Captain Gemeniano Narcisso.

Barangay Mataas Na Kahoy has three (3) female volunteers in the construction site. They work as helpers, just like the other men volunteers. It used to be a rotation duty for women volunteers but due to heavy load of work, other women volunteers stopped working at the construction, leaving the three women volunteers. These are Arlene Villabriga, 26; Lovelyn Sortiz, 35; and Zenaida Cleope, 50.

“Ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang volunteer ng KALAHI CIDSS. Hindi ko inakala na pwede akong tumulong sa pagpapatayo ng sub-project naming ditto sa barangay sa kabila ng aking edad. Hindi ko maikubli ang aking kagalakan na ako ay parte para maisakatuparan ang aming pangarap. Pakikinabangan ito ng napakaraming bata kabilang na ang aking mga apo”, Zeaida Cleope. Zenaida, a widow was a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary when her four (4) children were still studying. Her strong urge to do something for the community was developed through Pantawid, and was further strengthened though Kalahi-CIDSS.

The sub-project of Barangay Mataas na Kahoy is now on-going, and now on its 70% completion rate. ### (Jennie DC. Piedra)