“Maka step-in na jud ko.” (I can now wear my step in).

For Merlinda Castillo, a 41 year-old community member of Barangay Libo-o in Ronda, Cebu, wearing her beloved step-in sandals without fear of ruining them in the mud represents more than just personal comfort. It is a sign of a brighter, more accessible future.

Merlinda shared how she used to carry her “step-in” sandals and walk barefoot to avoid damaging them.

Despite her precautions, she would go through at least three pairs of sandals a year, their soles worn away by the harsh conditions.

For years, Merlinda and her fellow residents from Purok Manga had to endure the daily challenge of passing through a muddy and treacherous road in their barangay.

The road was a constant source of frustration and hardship for the town people, especially during the rainy season when it became nearly impassable.

Parents often had to carry their children on their backs to keep their school uniforms clean, while farmers faced difficulty bringing their goods to market.

However, everything changed when their community was chosen as a beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

Through the program’s Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, the residents identified the concreting of their barangay road in Purok Saging as a top priority.

The community members pooled their efforts and resources to bring the sub-project to life through the technical guidance and funding provided by KALAHI-CIDSS.

On August 9, the DSWD Field Office-7 (Central Visayas) officially turned over the 0.396 km concrete road to the members of their community in a simple ceremony attended by officials from their barangay and the DSWD.

The event marked not just the completion of a road but the conclusion of the KALAHI-CIDSS program in the area. A program that has left behind empowered communities capable of taking charge of their development.

For Merlinda, the newly concreted road means she can now wear her “step-in” sandals to church, fiesta celebrations, and family outings without a second thought.

The road that was once a source of difficulty has become a path where she can walk with pride and ease since she can now enjoy walking without the worry of damaging her footwear.

“This road has transformed our lives. I’m so thankful to the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS program for making this possible,” Merlinda said.

The impact of the finished concrete road project has also extended beyond Merlinda’s experience. Children can now go to school with clean uniforms, and farmers can transport their goods to market more efficiently.

As KALAHI-CIDSS concludes its current implementation phase, it leaves behind a legacy of empowered individuals like Merlinda, who have learned that they can walk into a better future through community-driven development. #