Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian is set to inspect key community projects in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur on Monday, June 8, including a steel footbridge and a newly built two-classroom school building under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program.
The projects, located in Barangay Pisompongan, are part of the government’s effort to improve access to basic services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, especially as classes open nationwide.
During the visit, Gatchalian is also expected to meet with students, teachers, parents, and KALAHI-CIDSS volunteers who helped implement the community-driven development projects.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the visit reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that children in remote communities have safe and accessible learning spaces.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ang pagbisita po ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian ay nagpapakita ng matibay na commitment ng administrasyon na tiyakin na ang mga batang nasa malalayong komunidad ay may ligtas at maayos na access sa edukasyon at mas magandang oportunidad para sa kanilang kinabukasan,” Dumlao said.
Dumlao said KALAHI-CIDSS continues to empower communities by allowing residents to identify and address their most urgent needs through participatory development.
“Pinapakita po nito na ang KALAHI-CIDSS ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagpapatayo ng mga imprastraktura. Ito po ay tungkol sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa mga komunidad upang sama-sama nilang matukoy at matugunan ang kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailangan,” Dumlao stressed.
“Sa pagbubukas ng klase ngayong Hunyo 8, ang mga proyektong tulad po nito ay konkretong patunay na may direktang epekto ang mga programa ng pamahalaan sa pag-aaral at kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan,” she added.
The steel footbridge is expected to provide safer and more convenient access for residents and students in the area. The project followed Gatchalian’s 2025 visit after a viral video showed students crossing chest-deep river waters just to reach school.
After that visit, the DSWD, through KALAHI-CIDSS, began construction of the footbridge and the two-classroom school building to improve access and learning conditions for children in the community.
KALAHI-CIDSS is the DSWD’s community-driven development strategy that enables communities to take part in local governance, poverty reduction, and the implementation of projects that respond to their needs.