The provinces of Antique, Guimaras and Aklan are beneficiaries of the Australian grant of $10 million for the implementation of the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in 2013.

Leo Quintilla, deputy regional project manager of Kalahi-CIDSS in Western Visayas, said they recently received a memorandum order for the inclusion of the three provinces in the list of beneficiaries.

The initial identified beneficiaries are Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental provinces which have already funded projects under the Kalahi-CIDSS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Quintilla said they expect that more projects will be added to the 89 total sub-projects composed of 34 Day Care Centers and 55 elementary school buildings once the three additional provinces submit their project list for funding.

The $10 million is part of the entire $50 million AusAid grant granted to the Philippine government for the Kalahi-CIDSS that was coursed through the World Bank. 

He said the grant could be availed of by the local government units upon their submission of requirements.

Under Kalahi-CIDSS, the construction of a Day Center is allocated P150,000 to P200,000 while the elementary school between P200,000 to P300,000 each.

The LGUs are also required to have a counterpart of 30 percent -- 15 percent in cash and the other 15 percent for the labor requirement.*PNA