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Lanao del Norte -– The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development implements PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, a special project of the government focusing the 5 most conflict affected municipalities of Lanao del Norte namely Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Sapad, Munai, Baloi and Pantar as identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).

To recall, Lanao del Norte is one of the widely-known affected provinces during the 2000 all-out war in Mindanao. The unending cycle of violence and grief since, has shown 800,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), civilians and children. However, the cost of conflict may actually outweigh the toll on human lives and damaged properties because internal displacement have a serious long-term impact especially on the children. Apart from being the most vulnerable persons during conflict, most of these children are forced to skip schooling because of conflict and work instead in order to survive.

The aftermath of conflict in this province is evidently seen and felt by the field workers of DSWD, such that inconvenience in transportation, unsound peace and order, community participation, political dynamics among other challenges which somehow affects program implementation.

However, being the lead agent of social protection services, the department is committed to realize it mission and vision of a well-empowered society.

Photo 1
In Barangay Capucao, SND, Lanao del Norte, the people walk through this uphill and rocky road to do their everyday activities. Apparently, there has been no other interventions in this area except for DSWD social protection programs. People are hoping for construction of Farm-to-Market road to ease their living condition.

 

Photo 2
It was amazing to see this project established and operational amidst all these challenges. Accordingly people collaborated their labor force to deliver the materials needed to complete this Corn Mill project amounting to P300,000. People are overwhelmed and thankful for this project as it does not only ease their livelihood but also increases their income.
Photo 3
Meanwhile in Barangay Karkum, Sapad, Lanao del Norte, this is what their road looks like when you visit their area. It will take you a 2 hour walk uphill and will pass through this rapids before you reach their residence.
Photo 4
In Brgy. Karkum, the people shared that they were able to complete the construction of the concrete Solar Dryer and Corn Mill by making use of their horses in transporting the needed materials. “It took a lot of time and effort to complete the project but it was all worthy, because this is the first time that we have receive aid from the government” says the association’s president.

 

Photo 5
On the other hand, the municipal mayor of Munai, Lanao del Norte, Hon. Muammar Macquiling, expressed his sincerest gratitude to DSWD in all it programs implemented in his municipality. “I am so thankful that you included Munai as one of the recipients of your programs, this endeavor gives opportunity to break the biases and criticisms towards our municipality as a war torn area”, he says.

The PAMANA is a 3-year cycle program began in 2013 with a budget of P36 Million, with each cycle year, 122 barangays of the said municipalities are receiving the said budget allocation for their respective community projects not more than P300,000 each.

The program modalities include organization of Community Core Group and Peoples Organization who will identify, establish, manage and operate a community project. Their choices of project can be identify from manufacturing or processing facilities, equipment for common service facilities and transport facilities.

To date, the program has established 940 community projects amounting to 109,800,000.00. The SLP-PAMANA will conclude by the end of this year.

The program implementation in such areas are just few of the many interventions of DSWD geared towards poverty alleviation and community empowerment.

Written by Jamila M. Taha, DSWD