Koronadal City—Some P62 million worth of various community peace projects have been completed and now benefiting thousands of families in conflict-affected and vulnerable towns in Region-12.
Bai Zorahayda T. Taha, regional director of Department of Social and Welfare and Development field office XII, said that the amount represents the 138 community projects through the government’s flagship peace and development framework.
“These projects are part of the government’s firm intent for peacebuilding and development in conflict affected and vulnerable areas in Mindanao,” Taha said.
Pikit, an affected armed conflict town, has completed P27.8 million, while Arakan and Libungan, considered as conflict-vulnerable towns got P20.7 million and P13.5 million, respectively, an agency data shows.
Taha added that the projects form part of the synergized efforts of the agency, local government units, village officials and volunteers with funding support from Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) though its PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Project.
Among the completed projects, according to Taha, included peace centers, community livelihood initiatives, pre and post-harvest facilities, electrifications, water systems, roads, flood controls, educational facilities, and many others.
Meanwhile, Emerita Q. Dizon, DSWD-12 regional project coordinator, said that the agency’s PAMANA projects go beyond the usual infrastructure projects since it employed a community-driven development (CDD) strategy to ensure participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making process.
“As complementary tract to national government’s peace initiative, the process itself fosters peaceful relations between and among communities and addresses the root of conflict,” Dizon said.
Currently, these three towns have been granted an additional of P27 million worth of various community projects that are expected to be completed before the year ends. ### HILBERT T. ESTACION