The Department of Social Welfare and Development is assessing the effectiveness of the Kawan ng Kapwa initiative in Sibonga, Cebu, as part of efforts to strengthen the implementation and long-term sustainability of the Walang Gutom Program.
The evaluation focused on how the initiative is helping beneficiaries, how efficiently it is being managed and whether the community-based approach can be sustained in the long term.
Beneficiaries take part in evaluation
The assessment was conducted through focus group discussions on September 3, bringing together Kawan ng Kapwa leaders and members with social welfare officers from the DSWD National and Regional Program Management Offices.
The discussions gave beneficiaries and field implementers an opportunity to share their experiences, identify challenges and suggest ways to improve the programme.
Participants highlighted the role of Kawan ng Kapwa in strengthening communication and cooperation among beneficiaries.
They said the initiative has helped information reach other members more quickly while encouraging stronger relationships, regular interaction and greater unity within the community.
Groups designed to strengthen peer support
Under the pilot implementation, beneficiaries can be organised into groups of around 15 to 25 active members.
The structure is intended to encourage greater participation and peer support while giving beneficiaries a more active role in the implementation of the programme.
By working through smaller community groups, the initiative also aims to create more direct channels for beneficiaries to share concerns, provide feedback and coordinate with programme implementers.
The approach is based on the Filipino concept of “kapwa,” which emphasises shared identity, responsibility and cooperation with others.
Leadership training builds stronger communities
Kawan ng Kapwa leaders and members in Sibonga also completed a leadership workshop in August titled “Leading with Purpose: Developing Effective Leaders for Stronger Communities.”
The training focused on strengthening unity, trust and cooperation among members.
The goal is to develop community leaders who can help sustain the initiative and encourage beneficiaries to participate more actively in programmes intended to address hunger and improve household welfare.
Pilot programme expands beyond Metro Manila
Kawan ng Kapwa was initially piloted in the National Capital Region before being expanded to other pilot areas, including parts of Region VII and Region IX.
The experience in Sibonga is therefore part of a broader effort to determine how the community-based model can work in different local settings.
For the DSWD, the evaluation provides an opportunity to identify what is working, address implementation challenges and improve the programme before further expansion.
The initiative also strengthens communication between beneficiaries, local stakeholders and programme implementers, allowing concerns to be reported and addressed more quickly.
As the Walang Gutom Program continues to develop, the Kawan ng Kapwa model could play a larger role in turning beneficiaries into active participants in their communities rather than simply recipients of government assistance.
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