Pedro (not his real name) expressed his gratitude to the government for transforming his miserable life into a peaceful and sustainable one. A former rebel, he and his family live in a far-flung community considered to be a conflict-vulnerable area in Negros Oriental.
“Tungod sa tabang sa gobyerno malinawon na ug wala na kami gibati og peligro tungod kay aduna nay mga awtoridad nga naa sa among lugar. Nadugangan usab ang akong panginabuhian gikan sa tabang sa DSWD-SLP (Through the government’s help, we no longer feel in danger because of the presence of authorities in our area. My livelihood also increased through the help of DSWD-SLP),” shares Pedro, a beneficiary of Executive Order No. 70. The program provided him with a livelihood settlement grant worth PHP 20,000 as start-up capital for his proposed livelihood project, a barbershop. This barbershop has given him the opportunity to still earn money if he could not go to his farm.
In pursuit of the country’s peace and development agenda, the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program extends its modalities and implements special projects such as the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), Executive Order No. 70, and the Livelihood Resettlement Grant (LRG) for KAPATIRAN by providing livelihood to former rebels and to those families/residents in isolated, conflict-affected, and vulnerable areas (CAA/CVA) ensuring that the government will not leave them behind. The program sees to it that these former rebels or these peace advocates are given opportunities and enjoy the programs and services of the government.
The implementation of the special projects of the Sustainable Livelihood Program has brought change to the beneficiaries’ lives. “The SLP-PAMANA project of DSWD will help the associations of the towns and cities, for they will provide a livelihood to our constituents. Hopefully, this will be an instrument in building peace in our place.” These are the words of the hopeful and optimistic Vice Mayor Ana Eunica Beatriz Reyes of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. VM Reyes delivered her response after her constituents received a total of 3.3 million to add up their capital for their livelihood that was funded by SLP-PAMANA.
The projects implemented have given hope for a peaceful and prosperous town, which has been her dream since she was a kid: “Sukad ko matawo, naa nani mga rebelde sa among lugar, nalangan ang pag asenso sa among lugar, naglisod ang pamunoan sa pagpalambo sa among lungsod tungod daghan magsamok sa programang pang gobyerno (Since I was born, there have been rebels in our area, the development of our place has been delayed, and the leadership has had difficulty developing our town because of interference with the government program),” says Vice-Mayor Reyes. She added that now that the government has reached out to these groups and made efforts to build peace. According to her, their situation is a lot better now.
Members of the Nagbalaye Livelihood Association thanked the program for giving them the opportunity to grow and develop their skills and for giving them the chance to live in a peaceful community. “Gihatagan kami og dakong higayon nga motigayon sa among panginabuhian, ug dako kaayo namong pasalamat sa SLP ug PAMANA (We have been given a great opportunity to earn a living, and we are very grateful to SLP and PAMANA). The members of the all-women group are extremely happy for the chance to live a normal and peaceful life.
“The positive responses from the beneficiaries give a positive indicator that the government’s efforts have reached another milestone in the process of pursuing peace,” said Secretary Carlito G. Galvez of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Alan A. Tanjusay thanked the local government units for their continuous support of the government’s efforts in promoting peace and sustainable projects for these peace advocates.
DSWD released Php 16.5 million pesos to 51 CVAs or 1,141 beneficiaries in Negros Oriental. ###
(103) Views