A new climate-focused project by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to benefit 46 municipalities in the MIMAROPA region when it launches next year.
Raymond Libora, Deputy Regional Program Manager for DSWD MIMAROPA, announced during the Regional Kalahi-CIDSS Stakeholder’s Forum in Pasay City that the new program, titled Panahon ng Pagkilos, will be introduced following the conclusion of the National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing this year.
“The project development objective of Panahon ng Pagkilos is to strengthen local capacities for participatory climate resilience planning and deliver climate action in vulnerable communities,” Libora stated.
The 46 towns in MIMAROPA are among 500 municipalities across the country that will participate in the program’s first phase, which will run from 2025 to 2030. These areas were selected based on criteria such as having a poverty incidence of over 18.1% and exposure to at least three climatic hazards. It will have a total nationwide project cost of ₱52.5 billion, with 77.3% of the funding sourced from a World Bank loan.
The project will use a community-driven approach to ensure that implemented projects align with local priorities.
Potential sub-projects include climate-resilient infrastructure like flood and landslide protection, health facilities, and water systems. Climate-resilient livelihoods, such as coco coir and eco-bag production, and ecosystem conservation efforts like mangrove protection and eco-tourism parks, are also part of the program’s scope.
DSWD MIMAROPA plans to present the project to the Regional Development Council, the highest planning and policy-making body in the region, during its upcoming regular quarterly meeting.
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