Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA)

Rain pouring over a country where the heat at times is unbearable, is considered a gift to many people. To relieve and refresh themselves of the heat through the cold outpour and for economic and livelihood reasons are by far the two main reasons for their enjoyment. Not to mention the days wherein classes are suspended for kids, who are just as excited to play in puddles of water. While most people rejoice at the sight of rain,people of Barangay Bolo actually fear for their lives. This may sound a little over the top, but the mere sight of rain causes a paralyzing fear that only a few managed to get by.

Ligaya Valenzuela, the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee Chairperson recounted an event, of which happened during her fourth year in high school, where rain had become the most impossible in the municipality of Torrijos. “It was raining heavily that day, it was a school day and I have to get to my class on time,” she narrated. Since the rain was hard, the road was flooded and there was no other way to pass by. The bark of a coconut tree which was sprawled along the road was the only means she can get to her school without having to step into the flood. But just as she was making her way carefully through the flooded road, she got carried away by the current. “I really don’t know what to do, I was with my aunt but she was also afraid that if she helped me, then both of us will be carried away,” said Ligaya. She noted that she tried to swim against the current but it was no use. She got swept away, finding herself at the foot of the trees. “I thought that was the end of my life,” she said teary-eyed.

When Kalahi-CIDSS came to Torrijos, Marinduque, July of last year, barangays were nothing but oblivious to the project but nonetheless welcomed it with a grateful heart.

A community-driven development project, Kalahi-CIDSS is the government’s primary poverty reduction program wherein communities decide for themselves what project they needed the most. Specifically, the project highlights the participation of each individual in identifying their needs, up to the implementation of the sub-project they have identified.