The local residents of Quezon Province showcased their talents and shared stories of volunteerism through music in the recently held grand finals of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Songwriting Competition through its program Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

The said activity themed Kapit Bisig para sa Kaunlaran aimed to capture the stories of change in the communities since the intervention of the Kalahi-CIDSS program in their areas. These stories were expressed by the volunteers, program partners, and project beneficiaries through their own song compositions, which they performed live in the grand finals last September 30, 2015 in the town of Catanauan.

“Gusto kong magbigay pugay sa mga volunteers sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang mga karanasan ng pagsasakripisyo alang-alang sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng paglalapat ng kanilang istorya sa musika. Ang mga kwentong ito, kapag nailapat sa isang uri ng sining tulad ng musika, ay mananatiling buhay kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas,” said Loida Abela, the Deputy Regional Project Manager of Kalahi-CIDSS in the CALABARZON region, in her message.

The contestants for the said activity came from the four municipalities in Quezon Province implementing the Kalahi-CIDSS program. They are from the towns of Gumaca (4^th place), Mulanay (3^rd place), Quezon (2^nd place), and Catanauan (Grand Champion).

The winning song entitled KAKUMPAS Hymn para sa Kalahi-CIDSS was written by Pedrito Zoilo Taracina from the town of Catanauan. Taracina is the head of the people’s organization named Kapisanan at Konseho ng Ugnayan ng mga Pampamayanang Samahan (KAKUMPAS) that aims to support the Kalahi-CIDSS principle of engaging all sectors in the development projects for a more participative and transparent implementation. He wrote the song to signify the support of sectoral groups in the Kalahi-CIDSS program towards improved communities.

“Tulad po ng nakasaad sa aming awitin, patuloy po tayong magtulungan at makiisa sa Kalahi-
CIDSS para ating maabot ang mithiing kaunlaran sa bayan,” said Taracina.

All the contestants received cash prizes and plaques. The 4^th place received PhP5,000, 3^rd place got PhP10,000, 2^nd place with PhP15,000, and the grand champion had PhP20,000. The DSWD will also sponsor the recording of the winning song, which will be used during DSWD activities and advocacy events.

The Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty reduction program of the DSWD that aims to improve the delivery of social services in poor communities by engaging local residents in the identification, planning, and implementation of need-responsive projects. In the CALABARZON region, the program is being implemented in the 20 municipalities all located in Quezon Province. #