P135-M Peace And Dev’t Projects For Surigao Del Norte

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 14): P135-M Peace And Dev’t Projects For Surigao Del Norte

Officials of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) yesterday inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the P135 million peace and development projects in the seven municipalities of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City.

The MOA signing of these projects were done during the 74th Full Council Meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) at city’s inland resort, hotel and convention center here yesterday.

These projects comprising of roads are under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA peace and development program of the OPAPP are located in the municipalities of Malimono, Bacuag, Sison, Del Carmen, Mainit, Gigaquit and San Francisco, all of SDurigao del Norte province and Surigao City.

In this MOA, concerned officials led by RDC Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas, DILG and OPAPP agreed to “help one another” for the successful implementation of PAMANA projects in different conflict-affected areas.

PAMANA is the government’s peace and development program and framework which seeks to improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address the people’s needs while promoting peace.

The program is under the supervision and implementation of the OPAPP.

Other than providing economic development in conflict-affected areas, PAMANA will also assists in capacitating LGU’s to provide programs for reintegration of rebel returnees, developing psycho social de-briefing tools or interventions for mainstreaming and mapping support mechanisms.

These projects are also the convergence framework through which the national government, local government units and development agencies provide targeted interventions in identified conflict-affected areas (CAAS) focused on responsible governance; improved delivery of basic services; sustainable development and economic reconstruction; and security sector reforms by ensuring delivery of basic services, implementation of transparent and accountable mechanisms and capacity building of communities while ensuring that income generating activities and economic development are supported and employment opportunities being provided.

Also part of the PAMANA projects are farm-to-market roads, water and light system and other driver towards economic upliftment.

“These PAMANA projects also played a vital role in our far-flung communities, especially those in conflict-affected areas,” said Gov. Matugas.

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