Social Services Impact on Community Development in the Philippines: Case of Kapit-Bisig Sa Kahirapan Project in Camarines Sur

Abstract

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose................................................................................................................................................................................................ The general purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development in the East Coastal Area of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, Philippines after its implementation. Background................................................................................................................................................................................................ Examining the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development helps to determine the program’s priority issues that the government should be able to address. Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................ This study used a purely qualitative method in gathering data following the case study design, and employed three different data gathering techniques. This method was used to develop in-depth analysis and provide appropriate baseline information on the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development. Contribution................................................................................................................................................................................................ The results of this endeavor will generate useful information for concerned Philippine government agencies to improve their programs or projects to-ward societal development. The formulation of possible relevant policies or additional activities under this project will deliver essential development to the lives of beneficiaries in terms of combating poverty and ensuring safety and protection during the onslaught of natural catastrophes. Findings...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The KALAHI-CIDSS project, while not free from flaws, has gained a lot of recognition as an effective poverty reduction program because of the job opportunities it generated in the poor communities, particularly in the East Coastal Area of Lagonoy. Significantly, it helped the community stakeholders to establish shared trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation among them. Its implementation promotes gender equality and stake-holder empowerment, upholding accountability and transparency in the community. Recommendations for Practitioners.......................................................................................................................................................... The construction of infrastructures (e.g. seawalls) kept residents safe and protected from natural hazards. However, since poverty is a multi-dimensional issue, the government should not concentrate predominantly on the economic aspect of the lives of the Filipinos. Instead, they need to establish collaborative efforts with various government agencies to combat the prevalent problems in the country. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................................ There is still room to examine different aspects of this program such as different measurement and analysis to figure out how influential this program is. Impact on Society........................................................................................................................................................................................ The significant positive feedback from the stakeholders may be used as baseline data to continually implement the project to those communities that need to be safe, protected and developed, as well as to reduce the poverty incidence. However, the implementing agency must consider the weaknesses found in this study as a guide for improved project implementation. Future Research.............................................................................................................................................................................................. The information generated in this study has the potential to be helpful to the scientific community focusing on the impact of KALAHI-CIDSS on community development. However, this does not provide enough concrete and empirical measurements that could actually provide scientific information regarding the impact of the project. Thus, conducting further investigation about the impact of KALAHI-CIDSS on community development by employing quantitative methods will be the future focus of the author. Utilizing a quantitative approach will provide the comprehensive and objective type of processes, tests, and results needed in order to be able to generalize the project’s impact on KALAHI-CIDSS beneficiaries all over the Philippines.