Level of Satisfaction of Beneficiaries in Priority Projects of

Kalahi-CIDSS in the District 3 of Municipality of Torrijos

Introduction
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social

Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS) is a CDD initiative of the

Government of the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

KALAHI-CIDSS seeks to reduce poverty and vulnerabilities to poverty by addressing a lack of

capacity and resources at the local level and limited responsiveness of local governments to

community priorities.

KALAHI-CIDSS reflects recognition by the Government of the Philippines of the endemic

and widespread nature of poverty. Its design drew inspiration from two major antipoverty

programs—the DSWD’s Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services Program and

Indonesia’s Kecamatan Development Program, a CDD initiative started in the 1990s.

KALAHI-CIDSS seeks to “empower communities in targeted poor municipalities to

achieve improved access to sustainable basic public services and to participate in more inclusive

Local Government Unit planning and budgeting”. The acronym, LET-CIDSS, summarizes the

basic principles that guide its implementation: localized decision making, empowerment,

transparency, community priority setting, inclusiveness, demand-driven, simple, sustainable.

Capacity-building and implementation support, community grants, and monitoring and

evaluation are the three main components of KALAHI-CIDSS. Grants for community subprojects

are provided to participating municipalities with each municipality’s allocation equal to the

number of villages within its jurisdiction multiplied by approximately $14,000 per year for 3 years.
Since the grant to a municipality is not enough to meet the funding needs of proposed subprojects

from all villages within the municipality, funds for subprojects are allocated through a competitive

community priority-setting process. This competitive element is possibly the defining

characteristic of KALAHI-CIDSS and the single most important feature that differentiates it from

other community development programs in the Philippines with CDD characteristics, such as the

Mindanao Rural Development Program, the Agrarian Reform Communities Development

Program, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund.

The initial period of engagement between KALAHI-CIDSS and a participating community

extends for 3 years.2 A DSWD-recruited area coordinating team, consisting of an area coordinator,

engineer, financial analyst, and community facilitators (at a ratio of one facilitator for every three

to five villages, depending on accessibility), is deployed in each target municipality to lead local

implementation and assist participating villages. All villages in a target municipality are eligible

to participate in KALAHI-CIDSS.

The cornerstone of the KALAHI-CIDSS approach is the community empowerment and

activity cycle (CEAC). Each village that entered KALAHI-CIDSS since the project started in 2003

went through the CEAC three times (approximately once each year) during its engagement with

the project. There are four stages in the CEAC: social preparation, subproject identification and

development, subproject selection and approval, and subproject implementation.

Social preparation involves training to identify communities’ problems and propose

solutions. The key activity during social preparation is the participatory situation analysis (PSA),

which is a collective assessment of conditions by community volunteers chosen by their peers.

 The major activity during subproject identification and development is the criteria-setting

workshop, where village representatives determine the quantitative and qualitative criteria for the

selection and ranking of village proposals. Sample criteria for subproject selection can include

responsiveness to a priority problem, beneficiary reach, quality of benefits, and cultural

acceptability. The criteria guide villages in the selection and preparation of their subproject

proposals.

A community can propose any subproject it considers important for its development except

for activities that have adverse social or environmental impacts or microcredit activities that

involve the lending of funds. Based on KALAHI-CIDSS-1 (KC-1) experience, subprojects likely

to be proposed and supported include water systems, access roads, schools, health stations, and

day care centers. Together, such subprojects accounted for 80% of all KALAHI-CIDSS

community grants during the first phase of KALAHI-CIDSS.

In the subproject approval phase, democratically elected village representatives convene in

an intervillage meeting (known as the municipal interbarangay forum) for the competitive ranking

of subproject proposals using the criteria selected earlier. When all proposals have been ranked,

the municipal grant is allocated first to the amount needed for the highest-ranked subproject, and

then to the second highest-ranked, and so on, until the municipality’s grant has been fully

committed.

Communities with approved proposals then move to the fourth stage, subproject

implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and operation and maintenance (O&M). During

subproject implementation, community residents find new ways of working with each other,

engage local government officials for technical support and counterpart resources, and learn about
procurement and financial management. O&M plans and arrangements are also completed at this

stage.

Finally, after the construction is completed and subprojects are about to become

operational, communities undergo a transition stage before proceeding to a new CEAC. The

transition involves a community-based evaluation to identify changes resulting from the residents’

experience with the subprojects, accountability reporting, and review to determine the performance

of different stakeholders (village residents, KALAHI-CIDSS staff, local government officials and

staff, and other donors) in the delivery of subproject commitments.

Selected barangay in the District 3 of the Municipality of Torrijos are recipients of the

KALAHI-CIDD projects. The residents are the beneficiaries of KALAHI-CIDD sub projects.

Among the projects include Construction of 1 Unit Classroom Elementary School Building and

Construction of Drainage System in Barangay Suha; Construction of 5 Units of Shallow Well with

Jetratic Pumps and Rehabilitation of Flood Control Structure in Barangay Mabuhay; and

Construction of Waterworks System in Barangay Matuyatuya. In this premise, this research

attempted to investigate the level of satisfaction of the resident-beneficiaries on the priority sub-

projects of KALAHI-CIDDS. Results would yield to a more responsive and efficient services of

the KALAHI-CIDDS to their target beneficiaries.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, the study aimed to find out the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries of

KALAHI –CIDDS priority projects in the District 3 of Municipality of Torrijos.

Specifically, it sought answers to the following problems:

 1. What is the status of the implemented priority projects of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa

Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) in the

following barangay: Mabuhay, Matuyatuya, and Suha?

2. What is the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries on the priority projects implemented

by Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services

(KALAHI-CIDDS) in their respective barangays?

3. Is there a significant difference in the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries of the

priority projects implemented by Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated

Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) when grouped according to barangay?

Scope and Delimitation

Due to lack of time and resources, this study focused only on one municipality as study

area. It does not in any way intend to make general conclusions on KALAHI-CIDSS as a program

because the experience of other municipalities may be different. This study is primarily intended

to give a glimpse of how KALAHI-CIDSS projects were implemented and the level of satisfaction

of the resident beneficiaries of the priority project.

This study covered the status of implementation and the level of satisfaction of the

beneficiaries on the priority projects implemented by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan

Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) in selected

barangays in District 3 in the Municipality of Torrijos namely: Barangay Mabuhay, Barangay

Matuyatuya, and Barangay Suha.

 It involved 301 (119) beneficiaries from Barangay Mabuhay, 1042 (247) beneficiaries from

Barangay Matuyatuya, and 374 beneficiaries from Barangay Suha with a total of 1674 (357)

resident beneficiaries.

Significance of the Study

With the underlying objective of the KALAHI-CIDSS, that is to achieve its poverty-

reduction goals by providing resources to poor rural municipalities for investment in public goods,

this study was then significant.

Specifically, it would give significance to the following groups of individuals:

To the Residents of the Municipality of Torrijos, this study would raise their awareness

and provide them a wider and a bigger picture of development, in which the government is

continuously providing to its citizens especially to the less fortunate and the less privilege ones.

This is the government means of extending help to the residents and community members to reduce

if not totally eradicate poverty experiences. Through this study, the people of Torrijos would be

more appreciative and productive resident of the town and citizen in general.

To the Barangay Officials, this study would add to their support, cooperation, involvement,

and commitment to some sorts of projects like these that the government is implementing for

particular barangay. Since, they are the barangay officials, a local government unit, their support

and involvement are highly needed in any government’ project implementation. Thus, through this

study, the barangay officials would have developed a sense of involvement because the end

beneficiaries of any government project are the residents or the citizens in general. Although,
through this project, they would get insight, ideas, and new strategy and additional information

which would be helpful in implementing more projects for the residents of their barangays.

To the Future Researchers, results of this study may be contribute to them in writing a

study similar treated here. This may serve as additional information in the review of related

literature and studies or may be their background as they conducted a study which is closer to this

one.

Theoretical Framework of the Study

The study was anchored on Social Capital Theory. According to Gardon (2006), it can be

defined as the resources in a society. These resources may include, but are not limited to socio-

cultural norms such as trust, friendship, and goodwill, as well as networks of association that work

towards a common goal. Although the social capital theory has not yet been fully established due

to the complexity of social capital, its components can be loosely theorized to describe that

productivity can be derived from the social bonds, bridges and linkages that people share utilize

(OECD, n.d.). Given that a conditional cash transfer program is a part of social network where

individuals develop social relationship in order to strengthen their well-being. Social Capital is

imperative with regard to the program’s success, especially since the social network in this study

capital theory as a basis, the cash transfer program can be seen as a form of social protection

method in order to alleviate poverty and vulnerability through giving cash transfer. Hence, there

is a need to develop relationship between the government and community for a proper

implementation of the program (Ressler, 2008).

 This study aimed to inform the beneficiaries from the District 3 of Torrijos Marunduque

about the status of the implementation of the priority projects of KALAHI-CIDD and their level

of Satisfaction which would yield to a more efficient and productive services of the government

through KALAHI-CIDD.

Research Hypothesis
This research set the following hypotheses for investigation:
Ho1: There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries of

the priority projects implemented by Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and

Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) when grouped according to barangay.

Ho2: There is a significant difference in the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries of the

priority projects implemented by Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated

Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) when grouped according to barangay.

Research Paradigm

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Level of Satisfaction of the

Implemented Priority Residents on Priority
Projects by KALAHI- Projects by KALAHI-
CIDDS Priority in the CIDDS Priority in the
following barangays: following barangays:
Mabuhay Mabuhay
Matuyatuya Matuyatuya
Suha Suha
 Figure 1. Research Paradigm
The paradigm illustrates the whole study. The first frame contains the input, which is the

implemented projects in selected barangays in District 3 such as: Construction of 5 Units Shallow

Well with Jetmatic Pumps and Rehabilitation of Flood Control Structure for Barangay Mabuhay;

Construction of 300.00 LM Line Canal, Construction of 2 Units Community Comfort Room,

Construction of Solid Waste Recycling Facility, Improvement of Waterworks System for

Barangay Matuyatuya; and Rehabilitation of Drainage System, Construction of 237 LM Pathway,

and Construction of 1 Unit CL Elementary School Building for Barangay Suha. Meanwhile, the

level of satisfaction on these priority projects of KALAHI-CIDDS is the dependent variable, since

is the variable that varies or changes as determined through the independent variables.

Definition of Terms

To facilitate better understanding of some terms used in the study, these are either

operationally or conceptually defined as follow:

Beneficiaries. They are residents of selected Barangay in District 3 of Torrijos,

Marinduque namely Barangay Mabuhay, Barangay Matuyatuya, and Barangay Suha. The

beneficiaries are composed of children, parents, and all the household members who benefit from

the priority projects.

Level of Satisfaction. This pertains to whether the beneficiaries are satisfied to the

implemented priority projects of the KALAHI-CIDD in their respective barangays. The level of
satisfaction is measured using these scales: Highly Satisfied, Satisfied, Moderately Satisfied,

Slightly Satisfied, and Not Satisfied.

Priority Projects. It means that projects are in urgency of need for implementation as these

are deemed needed by residents or people in a particular place.

Status of the Implemented Priority Projects. This refers to whether all the priority

projects of the KALAHI-CIDDS were implemented based on this program of work or project

proposal. Such project includes: Construction of 5 Units Shallow Well with Jetmatic Pumps and

Rehabilitation of Flood Control Structure for Barangay Mabuhay; Construction of 300.00 LM Line

Canal, Construction of 2 Units Community Comfort Room, Construction of Solid Waste

Recycling Facility, Improvement of Waterworks System for Barangay Matuyatuya; and

Rehabilitation of Drainage System, Construction of 237 LM Pathway, and Construction of 1 Unit

CL Elementary School Building for Barangay Suha.

 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the literature and studies reviewed which have bearing on the present

study for investigation. The literature and studies were taken from various primary and secondary

resources to give shed and support to the present study.

Related Literature

Asian Development Bank (2011) stated that China proposed project concern just like

KALAHI-CIDDS, China CDD Pilot Project. Community Procedure Manual Introducing

Community-Drive Development China’s 11 Five Year Plan recognizes that creation of a

“harmonious and well-off society” requires new approaches to poverty alleviation. To realize this

goal, poor households and communities must themselves be active participants in local

development, while local government agencies must dedicate themselves to serving the needs of

poor communities. Consistent with China’s development objectives, the State Council Leading

Group on Poverty Alleviation and Development is now testing a new development approached

called “community drive development” (CDD). One community will have an opportunity to

participate in this pilot program. The program offers three different ways in which people in the

community may benefit. This manual describes the program and its benefits, explains the processes

the community will be expected to follow, and the assistance available to the one from the village

facilitator and from local government agencies.

 In addition, according to the ADB Consultant, Gozales (2012), Indonesian proposed

project concern just like KALAHI CIDDS, Indonesian program National Nemberdayaan

Masyarakat Mandiri: lesson for Philippines community-driven development a purpose of his

document. This report, whose preparation has been supported by the Asian Development Bank

(ADB), examines the experience of the Indonesian Program National Pemberdayaan Masyarakat

or PNPM Manditi (National Program for Community Empowerment), currently the largest

community-driven development (CDD) operation in the world. ADB support is in response to the

request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippines

government and its partners to identify useful lessons for its ongoing effort to scale-ip the current

Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (Linking Arms Against Poverty) Comprehensive and Integrated

Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) project into the KALAHI CIDSS National CDD

Project (KC-NCDDP) for poverty reduction.

Moreover, Asian Development Bank (2012) stated that Korea proposed project similar to

KALAHI –CIDSS. The Saemail Undong Movement in the Republic of Korea: Sharing Knowledge

on Community-Driven Development, has been prepared by Djun Kil Kum, Professorial and

Research Chair of the Samsung Korean Studies Program at the University of Asia and the Pacific,

Manila, Philippines.

The Saemaul Undoing movement was a community-driven development program of the

Republic of Korea in the 1970s. The movement contributed to improved community well-being

in rural communities through agricultural production, household income village life, communal

empowerment and regeneration, and women’s participation. This report examines the strengths

and weaknesses of the movement along the contributing factors, including institutional

arrangements, leadership influence, gender consideration, ideological guidance, and financing. It

also reviews existing studies and government data on the movement and presents except from

interview with key persons engaged in the movement and useful lessons for implementing

community-driven development initiatives in developing countries.

Poverty in the Philippines is most prevalent in rural communities where majority of the

population live off subsistence farming. In 2000, about 44% of the rural population was poor.

People in these communities have no regular access to basic services and often are isolated from

the centers of business and government because of poor road conditions. Government services if

ever they reach these communities are not significant to reduce the incidence of poverty. People

are not empowered enough to demand the delivery of services and influence how the government

allocates resources and prioritizes projects.

After securing a $100 million loan from the World Bank and committing $82 million from

its national funds, the Philippine government introduced KALAHI-CIDSS in 2002 as its flagship

poverty reduction program. The program aimed at reducing rural poverty, targeting the poorest

25% of municipalities in 42 provinces. The KALAHI-CIDSS program sought to respond to some

of the shortcomings in the implementation of the Local Government Code. The program aimed at

alleviating rural poverty by providing resources to poor rural municipalities for public goods

investment and reviving local institutions mandated by the 1991 Local Government Code.

Specifically, the project had the objectives of “strengthening local communities‟ participation in

barangay governance, and developing their capacity to design, implement and manage

development activities that reduce poverty.” (World Bank 2002).

 CDD ensures that programs integrate the principles of local empowerment, participatory

governance, demand-responsiveness, administrative autonomy, greater downward accountability

and enhanced local capacity. (KALAHI-CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development

Program [KC-NCDDP] and Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016).

Related Studies

A 2009 study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) showed that CDD (i)

results in more cost-effective delivery of international development partners‟ funding for a broad

range of infrastructure and other community projects; (ii) is more responsive to local community

infrastructure demands, generating increased benefits; (iii) instills a sense of ownership that

translates to better operation and maintenance, and increased sustainability; (iv) provides a fund

disbursement mechanism that promotes transparency and limits leakages; and (v) results in

projects with higher rates of return than other ADB-financed projects.

This study would enable KALAHI-CIDSS project implementers to dig deeper at the factors

and dynamics at the local level and provide some guide on how stakeholders (reformers) can push

for local reforms, like CDD, that can have a national impact.

Another study,