Botalan is the first town in the province of Zambales, to be given the opportunity to be a beneficiary of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 3, Promotive Services Division Chief Vilma Serrano and Mayor Doris Maniquiz led the municipality's formal acceptance of the KALAHI-CIDSS Additional Financing program with an allocation grant of 20 million pesos.

Botolan is one of eight towns/municipalities throughout Central Luzon, that have benefited from the said program.

Serrano explained that KALAHI-CIDSS is a people-centered development program that aims to help the poor and the municipalities that are often hit by typhoons and calamities.

The program helps citizens gain access to government services, participate in the planning and selection of development projects, budgeting, and disaster risk reduction and management.

Utilizing a community-driven development strategy, KALAHI-CIDSS strengthens the participation of community members towards social development.

Photo Credit: DSWD Region III