Iloilo emerges as national leader in community-driven development
The province Iloilo is cementing its place on the map of good governance for being the first province to institutionalize community-led initiatives and people empowerment.
The Community-Driven Development (CDD) Day was launched in Iloilo on September 17, 2025 under the presence of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The event was rooted in Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-336 authored by then board member and now Bingawan Mayor Matt Palabrica which designates the third Wednesday of September every year as CDD Day in the province of Iloilo.
Iloilo’s CDD roots run deeper. Back in 2012, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 2012-377 declaring Iloilo as a Predominantly Community-Driven Development Province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to the programs and projects of the DSWD under his development mantra “MoRProGRes Iloilo” which is a whole-of-province approach to achieving a robust, progressive, globally-competitive, and resilient Iloilo.
MoRProGRes Iloilo is also a convergence initiative with the different national government agencies which pushes for community-driven programs and grassroots development.
“We are doing things here in convergence. We have a whole-of-province approach but we are also community-driven. We are ready to partner with all your programs and projects as we have been doing before. We are ready to counterpart in a more practical term – in your KALAHI program, 4Ps, and SLP as well as other programs that we can converge here in the province of Iloilo,” Defensor said.
“We look forward to promoting and pursuing this fundamental approach in doing things together with MoRProGRes Iloilo,” the governor added.
Secretary Gatchalian lauded Defensor for “embracing development in the point of view of the marginalized and the vulnerable.”
“When I found that Iloilo has a provincial resolution or ordinance enshrining community-driven development, I can tell you that you are the first LGU to have that. We have been pushing that in Congress but hindi natatapos. May you be the shining beacon and example of a local government unit or provincial government that leads the way in CDD,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD Secretary further lauded the provincial government for creating the Iloilo Provincial Convergence Committee led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office which oversees and ensures the successful implementation of CDD programs.
Gatchalian said Iloilo may be the first, if not the only LGU, to have a convergence committee that makes sure that government services are delivered in the most efficient way.
The CDD Day launching was also graced by Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, municipal mayors, DSWD officials and employees, PSWDO employees led by acting head Rani Melvi Cuarte, Capitol department heads, IPCC members, and other program partners and stakeholders.
