The results of a special program assessment and review project funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the Philippine government indicates that small, community-level anti-poverty efforts can lead to lasting improvements in the lives of the poor, Malacañang announced recently.

Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) said that the results of a recently completed review financed by the UNDP for the agency's Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) prototype projects indicate that poor folk living in some 134 beneficiary communities nationwide are still benefiting from various projects which cost the government a total of P52 million to plan and implement.

"We had long noted the need to assess the impact of our agency's various KALAHI projects, but funding and logistical constraints have always been a problem for us and so we were very pleased when the UNDP expressed its willingness to finance the undertaking," Panganiban said.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) endorsed the conduct of the assessment for funding by the UNDP.

The NAPC chief said the types of KALAHI projects the government makes available to beneficiaries vary from the construction of water systems, libraries and livelihood centers to establishment of small businesses and agricultural ventures.

"The KALAHI program is about autonomy and self-determination," Panganiban said. "As such, KALAHI beneficiaries are allowed the responsibility of choosing from a list of possible projects for their communities."

He said some of his agency's KALAHI prototype projects were launched seven years ago at costs that generally range from P50,000 to about P300,000.

Panganiban said a number of national agencies continue to implement projects under the KALAHI effort, which President Arroyo had designed and launched in 2001 as her administration's primary anti-poverty program.