MAASIM, Sarangani, Philippines – The local government here has turned over P1.5 million as counterpart for financing various poverty alleviation projects implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a town in Sarangani.

Based on poverty incidence and effective project implementation, Sarangani’s four municipalities are recipients of its scale up project.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene A. Dominguez turned over a P1.5-million check as provincial counterpart for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHICIDSS) scale up project here.

Dominguez, who attended the flag-raising ceremony in this town, proceeded to Maitum for another turnover of check worth P1.8 million to Mayor Elsie Perrett.

With the provincial government’s 70 percent share, the municipality will likewise shoulder 30 percent of the project as its share.

Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malungon are Sarangani municipal-recipients of KALAHI-CIDSS’s continuing project.

The DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS project and the national government’s poverty alleviation flagship program through transparent and community-oriented projects have identified 16 municipalities nationwide.

Provincial social welfare and development officer Hermelo Latoja said the plan was initiated early last year.

The project aims to construct school buildings in the villages of Poblacion, Amsipit, Malbang, Lumasal, Lumatil, and Kanalo.

“We want to see more professionals in Maasim,” Dominguez said.

The governor said Maasim schools have the lowest in terms of educational attainment and that they need interventions. (Mick M. Basa)