The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas, through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), recently conducted a three-day technical session for Project Development Officers (PDOs) handling special projects under Executive Order 70 (EO 70) and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program in Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental.

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 M. Casalem, Regional Program Coordinator from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), led an in-depth discussion on PAMANA implementation. Her presentation clarified the responsibilities of both OPAPRU and DSWD in identifying and implementing projects, enhancing the understanding of PDOs on the programs they manage.

Aracelli B. Quiel, the Special Projects Officer, oriented, refreshed, and reviewed the PAMANA and EO 70 guidelines for the newly hired PAMANA PDOs and refreshed their program knowledge. She emphasized the importance of adhering to the “negative list” of projects to avoid during proposal drafting and execution. The session also encouraged PDOs to share their field experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Julius B. Villanueva, Special Concerns Officer, discussed Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Promotion (CSPP), a crucial element for projects dealing with insurgent returnees and conflict-affected areas. His insights further deepened the PDOs’ understanding of conflict-sensitive approaches in their work.

The session concluded with an impromptu learning visit to the Bongbong Merchants SLP Association in Valencia, Negros Oriental. This association, situated in a conflict-vulnerable area (CVA), received Php 300,000 seed capital in October 2022 through EO 70. During the visit, the association’s president, Asterio Ubag, warmly welcomed the group and shared how their community overcame the challenges with the support of the SLP.

Rosemarie S. Salazar, the Division Chief for Promotive Services, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the PDOs during this session. She noted their willingness and active participation in each workshop.

Ms. Salazar hopes they will maintain their enthusiasm amid the challenges they might face and continue to hit their targets by effectively implementing their projects.

Overall, the technical session enriched the PDOs’ knowledge and skills. The session also serves as a platform for exchanging experiences that could enhance their work in their respective areas. These insights would contribute to the successful implementation of the program for the calendar year 2025.

For the 2024 implementation, the program has already disbursed the amount of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 4,500,000.00) for the 15 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) of the PAMANA-identified CAAs/CVAS and released the amount of One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) to the Fifteen (50) insurgent returnees and the amount of Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 600,000.00) to the Two (2) SLPAs of the EO 70 identified CAAs/CVAs in Region VII (6 million for two SLPAs under EO 70 in Region 7). ###

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