DSWD pours out programs, services to conflict areas in CAR

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 19, 2020): DSWD pours out programs, services to conflict areas in CAR  (By Susan Aro) 

BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 19 (PIA) - - Anchored on the government’s whole of nation approach under Executive Order 70 in ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC), government agencies are pouring in programs and services in various forms in identified conflict-affected barangays.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development - Cordillera Region (DSWD-CAR) presented its programs and projects for the identified Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) barangays in a meeting of the Strategic Communication Cluster of the Regional Task Force ELCAC on October 16.

According to DSWD-CAR Regional Information Officer Nerissa Faye Villanueva-Trinidad, their office from January to May this year implemented projects, programs, and services worth P80, 323,331.67 in 49 RTF-ELCAC priority-areas.

She reported that in June, some 3,298 families-households received Pantawid Assistance with a total amount of P26, 581,500.00. Known as Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program or 4Ps, this is DSWD’s conditional cash transfer that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor in the country to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children.

In July, 1,417 individuals were provided with Family Food Packs worth P594, 777.20. Moreover, a total of 3,336 families or households were provided monetary subsidy during the COVID pandemic under the Social Amelioration Program both for Pantawid and non-Pantawid beneficiaries from conflict-affected areas. The SAP for said beneficiaries amounted to a total of P14.026 million.

In August 2020, 72 former rebels from Ifugao and 17 from Kalinga were assessed for Sustainable Livelihood Program. The SLP is for families and communities developed as the graduation program for beneficiaries of the 4Ps for micro-enterprise development and for employment facilitation.

The CTG - affected areas in the Cordillera Region are in the municipalities of Lacub, Malibcong and Tubo in Abra; Bauko, Besao, Sagada, and Bontoc in Mountain Province; Asipulo and Tinoc in Ifugao; Tabuk City, Pinukpuk, Lubuagan and Balbalan in Kalinga, and Flora in Apayao. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056356