Conflict areas in Negros benefit from gov’t projects

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24): Conflict areas in Negros benefit from gov’t projects

Conflict-affected communities in Negros identified by Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (Tabara Paduano Group) availed of various projects even before the closure of their peace agreement with the national government.

Records of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles show the rebel group availed of the Disbursement Acceleration Program through the implementation of PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) programs and projects.

PAMANA is the national government’s program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach, and conflict-affected and vulnerable communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.

The amount of P37 million has been allocated by OPAPP for a farm-to-market road project in Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan City, under the PAMANA program.

Under the program, more than 100 RPA-ABB members were also hired and deputized as forest guards by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Negros Island.

The provision of livelihood for former rebels is part of the strategy of PAMANA to support former and current rebels who desire to integrate into communities and be transformed into productive citizens and group.

As a complementary track to the peace process being pursued with the RPM-P/RPA/ABB - TPG, PAMANA interventions are determined based on the profiling of needs of the members matched with available and feasible options in the area, OPAPP records also show.

Because of DAP, Deles said, people are feeling the consequences of "reforms that are now happening in most difficult areas," such as conflict-affected and vulnerable communities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=665787