Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija – Representatives from the World Bank Group and Kalahi CIDDSS – NCDDP National Program Management Office (NPMO) recently conducted an Implementation Support Mission in Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija.

According to Ms. Maria Loreto N. Padua, Social Development Specialist of the World Bank Group, “We call this a joint implementation support mission, we don’t just check or try to see what’s happening on the field, whether the sub-projects are implemented but more importantly we want to pick up insights from the community volunteers and local government units.”

Ms. Padua also mentioned that this is the first mission of World Bank in Region III.
The two groups visited two (2) barangays of Gen. Mamerto Natividad, and four (4) completed sub-projects.

The Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP volunteers expressed their experiences and lessons learned as community volunteers of Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP in the implementation of the program.

“Wala po kaming problema sa tagal ng proseso ng Kalahi, ang hiling lang namin ay sana tumagal ang programa dito sa sa aming bayan,” said Carmen Dela Cruz, 44, Bids and Awards Committee Chairperson of Brgy. Manarog, Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija.

Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP in Region III started in 2014. Gen. Mamerto Natividad is one of the three (3) municipalities covered by the program. During the 1st cycle there were 14 completed sub-projects and five (5) completed sub-projects on the 2nd cycle. At present they are in the implementation of the social preparation stage for the 3rd cycle.

The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Compehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program is using a community-driven development approach which gives power to the community to analyze the problem in their community and the solution on it.

In thanking the World Bank and NPMO, Irene Crespo, Assistant Regional Director for Administration and Regional Program Manager of Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP said, “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and we are hoping that with your assistance, we can be more effective and more efficient in the implementation of the program in our Region, and our LGU partners will be more confident and inspired in adapting the CDD approach.” ### (Jeffrey D. Pelariza)