The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed this year the implementation of various peace and development projects identified in 2023 for conflict-affected and vulnerable areas (CVAs) across the country.
“The DSWD is making sure that the peace investments of the government will grow and continue to make dividends for our people and for our nation because we believe that whenever there is peace, growth and development persist,” DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Alan Tanjusay said on Tuesday (December 3) as he emphasized the significance of the immediate completion of the peace and development projects.
Undersecretary Tanjusay said a total of 222 community-driven peace and development projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) were completed with a budget of Php47.1 million. These include roads, water systems, hanging footbridge, solar powered streetlights and drying facilities that were built in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas benefiting 60,634 residents.
PAMANA is the government’s flagship peace program designed to empower communities and residents in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in geographically isolated and hard-to-reach areas in the country. It includes community-driven peace and development projects, as well as local government unit (LGU)-led livelihood aid, Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP), and construction of child development centers and senior citizen centers.
A total of 500 housing units valued at Php131 million under the MSAP were built in hard-to-reach areas in Ipil, Tungawan, Sirawai and Sibuco in the Zamboanga Peninsula provinces.
Additionally, Php16.6 million in livelihood assistance through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)-PAMANA were handed over to 1,241 CVAs.
A child development center in Ibajay, Aklan, valued at Php1 million, was also constructed to host children in far-flung and hard-to-reach communities.
