The Bongbong Merchants Association in Valencia town has received P300,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare & Development.
DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said the funding assistance is given to PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program-identified conflict-affected areas in Region 7.
Barangay Bongbong is located in a conflict-vulnerable area.
Asterio Ubag, president of the Association, 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,” Asterio said.
He 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 SLP associations.
The DSWD7 also disbursed P1 million to the 50 insurgent returnees from the 15 SLP associations in different barangays affected or vulnerable to insurgencies as identified through Executive Order 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.
Jennifer April Casalem, regional program coordinator of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, & Unity, led an in-depth discussion on the PAMANA implementation.
Both the Office of the Presidential Adviser and DSWD identify and implement the projects to enhance the programs or projects. (JCT/PIA7 NegOr, with reports from DSWD)
