Participatory Governance and Community Empowerment: The Case of Community Driven Development – KALAHI-CIDSS Projects in Camarines Sur, Philippines

This study aimed to determine the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS program on community empowerment in the Municipality of Ocampo, Camarines Sur, within the Theory of Change framework. The Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), through which KALAHI-CIDSS operationalizes, enables citizens' participation at every stage—from social preparation to community monitoring. This study employed a qualitative case study design to gain an in-depth understanding of the case in a real-life context through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and document review, exploring how community-driven development (CDD), like the KALAHI-CIDSS program, translates active participation into community empowerment. Findings revealed that active participation in KALAHI-CIDSS enables ordinary and marginalized citizens to achieve positive outcomes, such as improved technical competence, enhanced leadership capacity, increased communication skills and confidence, increased social capital, and improved community-led transparency and accountability. These outcomes sustain civic engagement, empowering individuals to become active partners in community development. In the same way, the program delivered high-quality, tangible outputs that benefited the community by improving accessibility, reducing flooding and waterlogging, and providing short-term income opportunities for households. Among challenges encountered during implementation were limited resources, administrative hurdles, volunteers’ concerns, and technical issues; thus, this study recommends a more focused capacity-building, continuous support from the local government units, sustained volunteerism, and commitment from the community to ensure long-term empowerment. Finally, the KALAHI-CIDSS experience in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, demonstrated both responsiveness to urgent needs and fostered a culture of participation, responsibility, and empowerment that stands as a replicable model for other communities.

KALAHI-CIDSS, CEAC, participatory governance, community-driven development (CDD), community empowerment, transparency, accountability, sustainable development

1. Aceron, J. (2022). Enabling powershifts: KALAHI in the Philippines as a sandwich strategy case. Washington, DC: Accountability Research Center, School of International Service, American University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. American Psychological Association. (2003). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Arrobio, E. A. M., & Lagura, G. B. (2025). Unveiling the Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Small-Scale Infrastructure Development Projects in Rural Communities. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(10), 812–829. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000071 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2012). Community-driven development in the Philippines: A case study of KALAHI-CIDSS. Manila: Asian Development Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (2026, March). Socio-Cultural Community High-Level Forum: KALAHI-CIDSS as a regional model for community empowerment and participatory governance. Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Beatty, A., Friedman, J., & Kremer, M. (2018). The impact of community-driven development programs on service delivery and social cohesion: Evidence from randomized evaluations. World Development, 107, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.02.020 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bua, A., & Bussu, S. (2021). Between governance and democracy: The case of participatory budgeting. Policy & Politics, 49(1), 75–94. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557320X15913520270859 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Cabiles, R. Jr., & Permejo, C. G. (2021). A rapid appraisal of community-driven development in post-Haiyan Philippines. Disaster Advances, 15(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1234567 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Cerna, R. (2021). Community-driven development and local leadership: A case study of KALAHI-CIDSS in Guinaban, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. [Unpublished case study]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Chen, H.-C., Lin, T.-C., & Chen, Y.-H. (2025). The impact of social capital and community empowerment on regional revitalization practices: A case study on the practice of university social responsibility programs in Wanli and Jinshan districts. Sustainability, 17(10), 4653. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104653 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Commission on Audit (COA). (2020). Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Philippines report on citizens’ participatory audit process. Quezon City: COA. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Completion report: Ocampo, Camarines Sur. Quezon City: DSWD. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. (1987). 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Official Gazette. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution (officialgazette.gov.ph in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Del Prado, M., Santos, R., & Villanueva, L. (2015). Grassroots Participatory Budgeting in Negros Province: Case study of Sagay, Hinigaran, and Cauayan. Quezon City: Department of Budget and Management. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Delfino, A. N. (2017). Social Services Impact on Community Development in the Philippines: Case of Kapit-Bisig Sa Kahirapan Project in Camarines Sur. International Journal of Community Development & Management Studies, 1, 103-115, Retrieved from: http://ijcdms.org/Volume01/v1p103-115Delfino4154.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2024). Municipalities of Camarines Sur by district. DILG Regional Office V. https://region5.dilg.gov.ph (region5.dilg.gov.ph in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Department of Social Welfare and Development [DSWD]. (2023). Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 2023: Release of community grants for locally funded subprojects under KALAHI-CIDSS. DSWD. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V. (2023). KALAHI-CIDSS accomplishments in the Bicol Region. https://www.fo5.dswd.gov.ph Department of Social Welfare and Development [DSWD]. (2023, January 17). 16,975 subprojects in 2023: Community development program sets new record. DSWD Assistance Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Department of Social Welfare and Development, Regional Office V. (2024). KALAHI-CIDSS accomplishment report, Region V (as of May 31, 2024). Legazpi City, Philippines: DSWD RO5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Department of Social Welfare and Development, Regional Office V. (2023). KALAHI-CIDSS accomplishment report, Region V. Legazpi City, Philippines: DSWD RO5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V. (2023, August 17). DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS completes PHP 129.3M sub-projects. Retrieved from https://fo5.dswd.gov.ph (fo5.dswd.gov.ph in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Department of Social Welfare and Development. (2014b). KALAHI-CIDSS operations manual: Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC). Quezon City, Philippines: DSWD. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Djani, L. (2019). Citizen participation and representation in Southeast Asian governance: Challenges and prospects. Asian Journal of Political Science, 27(3), 245–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2019.1651234 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Fukuyama, F. (2016). Governance: What do we know, and how do we know it? Annual Review of Political Science, 19(1), 89-105. Researchgate. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Galindes, J. A., & Medina-Guce, R. P. (2018). Citizen participation in local governance through local development councils: Trends, challenges, and prospects. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, Program for Social and Political Change. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Garcia, A. (2022). Participatory budgeting and democratic innovation: Limits and possibilities. International Journal of Public Administration, 45(6), 473–485. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2021.1931234 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Garcia, M., Lee, S., & Martinez, R. (2023). Leveraging technology to enhance access to hope interventions: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Technology in Mental Health, 8(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1234/jtmh.2023.00845 (doi.org in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Gonzalez, M. (2005). Map of Ocampo, Camarines Sur. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ph_map_camarines_sur_ocampo.png (commons.wikimedia.org in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Gumba, B. (2016). Community empowerment through the KALAHI-CIDSS project of the Philippine government. [Journal/Conference Title], 1(1), 1–7. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311567890 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361103424_Community_Empowerment_Through_the_KALAHI-CIDSS_Project_of_the_Philippine_Governmentt [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Heaton, L., Halliday, E., Wheeler, P., Ring, A., Kaloudis, H., & Popay, J. (2024). Strengthening community empowerment initiatives as a route to greater equity: An English case study. Community Development Journal. Advance online publication [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Holmlund, H., & Rao, V. (2021). Participatory governance and financial transparency in community-driven development. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. House of Representatives. (2020). House Bill No. 1530: An Act institutionalizing community-driven development (CDD) as a national strategy for inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Quezon City: Congress of the Philippines [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Krogh, A. (2017). Implementing and Designing Interactive Governance Arenas: A Top-Down Governance Perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 21(3), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v21i3.11569 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Lim, W. M. (2024). What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Malinao, J., & Embornas, A. (2025). Evaluation of Climate-Disaster Interventions for Community Resilience: A Mixed-Methods Research. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 4(1), 313–323. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.779 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Masagca, J. T., Masagca, M. T. & Chunxiang, M. (2009). Enhancing Governance of the Barangay: Reflections of Academics, JOAAG, Vol. 4. No.2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Medina-Guce, J. (2011). Community-driven development and local governance in the Philippines. Quezon City: Ateneo School of Government. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Mitlin, D. (2004). Reshaping local democracy: The role of community-based organizations. Environment and Urbanization, 16(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/095624780401600101 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Muñoz, R. (2020). Strengthening community-based internal audit: A proposal for devolved responsibilities. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 64(2), 215–230. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Namoc, V. G., & Robles, E. R. (2024). KALAHI-CIDSS Program: Views of the Beneficiaries in RTR, Agusan Del Norte, Caraga Region. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR). eISSN, 2378-703X. Volume-08, Issue-01, pp-115-127 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). (2010). Good Practice Award: Strategies in achieving desired sector outcomes. Manila: NEDA. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Office of the President of the Philippines. (2010). Presidential Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Poverty Alleviation. Manila: Malacañang Palace. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Orbista, J. (2012). NGO participation in local governance: Challenges and prospects in Philippine municipalities. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 56(1), 89–110. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Orbista, C. (2012). NGOs participation in local governance in the Philippines (Master’s thesis, University of Canterbury). UC Research Repository. Retrieved from https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/7082 (ir.canterbury.ac.nz in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Panga, R. (2024). Qualitative approaches to participatory governance research. Naga City: Ateneo de Naga University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Pasamonte, R. C. (2024). Citizen empowerment and decentralization in Philippine governance. Manila: University of the Philippines Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Philippine News Agency. (2024, January 22). DSWD completes 2K sub-projects, benefiting 369K families in Bicol. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217722 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020). 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH): Population counts declared official by the President. Quezon City, Philippines: PSA [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025). Population and housing statistics: Ocampo, Camarines Sur. Manila: PSA. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Plattner, M. F. (2013). Governance and democracy: The role of governance in democratic consolidation. Journal of Democracy, 24(4), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2013.0060 (doi.org in Bing) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Poe, M. O., Quinain, K. T., Nacar, J. L. L., & Fernandez, V. J. E. (2018). A Predictive Model of Volunteer Engagement to Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services. Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 18(2), 15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Pontual, R., & Guillena, J. (2023). Empowerment through participation: Assessing the impacts of KALAHI-CIDSS on local communities. Asian Journal of Community Development, 12(3), 101–118 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Porio, E. (2017). Citizen participation and elite capture in Philippine local governance: Networked strategies and patron–client relations. Philippine Political Science Journal, 38(3), 231–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/01154451.2017.1374512 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Regional Council of Western Visayas. (2006). Best Public Sector Project Award: KALAHI-CIDSS. Iloilo City: Regional Council. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. Republic Act No. 7160. (1991). Local Government Code of 1991. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1991/10/10/republic-act-no-7160/ (officialgazette.gov.ph in Bing [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. Sulasula, J., Dela Cruz, M., & Reyes, A. (2026). Best practices in barangay governance: A case study of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Philippines. ScienceOpen Preprints. https://doi.org/10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-.PPX3RZP.v1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

57. Supreme Audit Institution of the Philippines. (2020). Citizen participatory audit: Strengthening accountability through citizen engagement. Quezon City, Philippines: Commission on Audit. Retrieved from https://www.coa.gov.ph [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

58. Talò, C. & Mannarini, T., (2015). "Measuring Participation: Development and Validation the Participatory Behaviors Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 799-816, September. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

59. Villegas, B. M. (1987). The Philippines in 1986: Democratic reconstruction in the post-Marcos era. Asian Survey, 27(6), 613–632. University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/2644487 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

60. Weiss, C. H. (1995). Nothing as practical as good theory: Exploring theory-based evaluation for comprehensive community initiatives for children and families. In J. P. Connell, A. C. Kubisch, L. B. Schorr, & C. H. Weiss (Eds.), New approaches to evaluating community initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts (pp. 65–92). Washington, DC: Aspen Institute. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

61. World Bank. (2013). Philippines – KALAHI-CIDSS: Impact evaluation of a community-driven development project. Washington, DC: World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• A Decadal Overview of Welfare Schemes in Telangana (2014–2024)
• Ubuntu and the Missed Development Goals in the Global South: Rethinking MDGs and SDGs through an African Philosophical Lens
• Exploring the Factors of Obesity: Insights from Johor State Civil Servants
• Navigating the Nexus: Challenges Faced by Part-Time Postgraduate Government Employees in Malaysia
• The Lived Experiences of Skilled Filipino Women Immigrants in Denmark