PAMANA AREAS

 

6 towns have been identified as beneficiaries of the latest anti-poverty program established by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to address the basic need of people in conflict-affected areas.

 

Among the municipalities included are Kauswagan, Munai, Poona Piagapo, Salvador, Tangkal and Kolambugan.

 

As a requisite of PAMANA, the PPOC immediately formed the Technical Working Group to identify the projects for implementation.

 

PAMANA is one of the cornerstones of the Aquino administration. It is one of the top priorities of the national government to alleviate the people from poverty and reduce vulnerability in conflict-affected areas through sustainable rural development, community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services.

 

“We are thankful to be one of the beneficiary-province to receive this anti-poverty program from national government. By addressing the root cause of many of the conflicts which is poverty, it would be easier for us (LGUs) to sustain peace and development in our area”, Governor Khalid Dimaporo remarked.

 

For the period 2011 to 2016, PAMANA will be implemented in 48 provinces with each area receiving development programs according to the specific needs of the local residents.

 

PAMANA is built on three pillars. First, laying the foundation for peace through policy reform and legislative action. Second, facilitating delivery of basic services at the community level through community driven development and community livelihood interventions. And third, addressing sub-regional challenges including constraints to regional economic integration of developing areas with the more progressive areas and inter-regional connectivity improvements.

 

“PAMANA program will cover most of western Mindanao area and now, Lanao del Norte is included,” said OPAPP Assistant Secretary Howard Cafugauan.

 

Lanao del Norte has already benefitted from other community-driven programs like KALAHI-CIDSS.

 

The implementation of the PAMANA program is expected to further spur economic activities in this fast-rising province. VNL & SMB/PIO-LDN