Gov’t allocates P718M for anti-poverty drive in ARMM
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines—The national government has allocated P718 million for its anti-poverty drive this year in what were formerly strongholds of the Moro National Liberation Front and other conflict areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said in a statement that the campaign will be implemented through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Prosperous Community or Pamana) program, which seeks to be an “affirmative action agenda” to transform conflict-affected areas throughout the country.
Based on Pamana’s inventory, the ARMM—Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi— accounts for about a fourth of some 5,000 conflict-affected villages throughout the country.
Rhea Catada, OPAPP program development officer, said the P718 million fund covers all MNLF areas in the ARMM.
Among the projects being contemplated are farm-to-market roads, bridges, warehouses, water supply systems, health centers, community peace centers and irrigation.
Based on Pamana strategy, the projects will be identified and implemented in partnership with provincial government units in the region. Local officials will be the ones to identify in which villages the projects will be implemented.
The Federation of United Mindanawan Bangsamoro Women Multi-Purpose Cooperative will act as “third-party monitor for the transparent and accountable implementation of the projects,” according to OPAPP.
The MNLF signed a final peace agreement with the government on September 1996.
As a result of the 1996 pact, once MNLF bases were organized into peace and development communities to serve as convergence areas for inter-agency efforts at addressing poverty.
These communities have become focal areas for initiatives at rehabilitation of former rebels and their communities, providing them with new opportunities in livelihood and social and economic benefits.
Originally posted at 10:41 am | Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012
