DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental) — The Bongbong Merchants Association located in a conflict-vulnerable area (CVA) in Valencia town has received P300,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero said the funding assistance is given to PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program (PAMANA)-identified conflict-affected areas in region7.
The association’s president, Asterio Ubag, thanked DSWD for the seed capital assistance to improve the livelihood program of the group.
“Kini dako na kaayo ikatabang sa among association para sa among panginabuhian ilabi na dri sa among barangay,” said Asterio.
(This is of great help for our association for our livelihood here in our barangay.)
Ubag also shared how their community overcame the challenges with the support of the SLP.
So far DSWD has released P4.5 million worth of livelihood assistance to 15 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs).
The DSWD7 also disbursed P1million to the 50 insurgent returnees from the 15 SLPAs in different barangays affected or vulnerable to insurgencies as identified through Executive Order (EO) 70.
EO 70 provides for the creation of a national task force tasked to find practical solutions to local communist armed conflict through a whole-of-nation approach and outlines the guidelines for releasing financial assistance to the returnees.
To implement the projects properly, the DSWD recently conducted a three-day technical session for project development officers to further capacitate them in handling special projects under EO 70 and PAMANA programs.
The technical session aimed to equip field staff with the knowledge and needed skills to effectively and efficiently deliver services to identified participants while providing valuable insights, especially for those new to the program.
Regional program coordinator Jennifer April Casalem of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) led an in-depth discussion on PAMANA implementation.
Both OPAPRU and DSWD identify and implement the projects to enhance the programs or projects. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from DSWD)
