By Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has
turned-over completed PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) projects in
Basilan last April 13.
At least eight projects were
completed and turned-over to the local government units, each amounting to P1.5
million.
OPAPP officials also said thirteen
more projects are ongoing.
Hadzer Birowa, OPAPP project assistant
for PAMANA projects said the projects started in 2012 and the ongoing projects
are already 79% to 90% complete.
“There are two categories in our
PAMANA projects here in Basilan—those projects under PAMANA PDC (Peace and
Development Communities) which are for MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front)
communities and under PAMANA Pillar 3 projects,” Birowa said.
He explained that PAMANA framework
is anchored on three complementary strategic pillars that define core
interventions to achieve lasting peace. He said that under the Pillar III
component, the projects are designed to address sub-regional challenges,
including constraints to regional economic development and economic integration
of developing areas with the more progressive areas, and inter-regional
connectivity improvements, which includes investing on agri-industrial
enterprises, coastal development initiatives, and infrastructure (e.g. road
networks, electrification, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads).
The other components of PAMANA are
Pillar I (Laying the foundation for peace through policy reform and legislative
action) is where development interventions are pursued like housing, ancestral
domain, banking, and in other areas (e.g. IDP shelter assistance, mining/timber
licensing agreements in IP areas).
Pillar II (Facilitating delivery of
basic services at the community level through community driven development and
community livelihood interventions) shapes families and communities by
concentrating on health, education and livelihood programs (e.g. community
driven development [CDD) programs, such as Kalahi CIDSS, DAR-ARC).
Birowa said that 80% of the P36
million total costs of the projects under Pillar 3 for PDC areas were already
released to the local government.
The completed projects are community
learning centers at Canibungan in Lantawan, Tuburan proper in Mohamad Ajul,
Bohe Basa in Tipo-Tipo, and at Bohe Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan; rock coast way
construction at Samal Village in Maluso; and improvement and road rehabilitation
projects at Pamucalin in Lantawan and Lower Sinagkapan in Tuburan.
The ongoing projects are the
following: Bohelebbeng Core Shelter, Parangbasak water system, Bato Lamitan
mini ice plant, Lubukan multi-purpose hall, Upper Sinangkapan learning center,
Tapiantana learning center, Cabcaban water system, Taberlongan learning center,
Bubuan water system, Upper Mahayahay learning center, Kuhun Lennuh road
rehabilitation, Calang Canas multi-purpose hall, and Materling multi-purpose
hall.
During the turnover ceremony,
OPAPP’s Bangsamoro office Undersecretary Atty. Jose I. Lorena said that
meaningful autonomy is possible in the ARMM, especially under the leadership of
the President Benigno S. Aquino III. He disclosed that the Bangsamoro office
has already released more than 650 million pesos for various projects in the
ARMM.
Tahira Ismael-Sansawi, provincial
administrator was emotional when she cited the role of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front, saying that all the projects the province is benefiting today
was realized as fruit of the sweat and blood of former fighters who fought for
the Bangsamoro people.
She explained that the process of
selecting projects in various areas in the province underwent consultations
with stakeholders to include the MNLF, local leaders, and the communities.
Provincial Engr. Tahir I. Latip said
that the objective of the PAMANA projects is to create resilient and
self-reliant communities, mostly in conflict-affected communities in Basilan.
“This is a national program to uplift the living conditions of the people,
hoping to contribute to the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao,” he said.
Local government officials are optimistic and hoping that
the PAMANA projects will boost economic activity and capacity of the people
towards working for building peaceful communities in Basilan. (PIA9)