MANILA, Philippines – Pinirmahan ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) at 78 local government units ang isang memorandum of agreement noong August 22 para sa implementasyon ng 138 peace and development projects sa pamamagitan ng Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.
Ang PAMANA, flagship program ng gobyerno para sa peace-building and rehabilitation ng conflict-affected communities, ay popondohan ang mga nasabing proyekto ng P3.7 billion.
“This agreement is not about personalities, it is about people, and about results,” ang sinabi ni Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. sa isang kalatas sabay sabing “The PAMANA program belongs to the Filipino people. It is their roads, their water systems, their livelihoods, and their future.”
Sa nakalipas na taon, natulungan ng PAMANA Program ang ilang LGUs na i- rehabilitate at i-develop ang kanilang mga bayan.
Nagpasalamat naman si Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Ferdinand Maliwanag para sa farm-to-market road sa Barangay Panaytayan, na pinondohan ng PAMANA Program, nagkakahalaga ng P60 million.
“Napakalaking pagbabago para sa aking mga kababayang Mangyan. Yung mga kalakal, dati po anim na oras binababa, ngayon ay mas mabilis na,” ang sinabi ni Maliwanag.
Gayundin sinabi naman ni Balindong, Lanao del Sur Mayor Amer-Reggie Bagul na ang fish landing facility at water system project ay itinayo sa Barangay Nusa sa pamamagitan ng PAMANA.
“These projects are made possible through the support of the government. Implementation of these projects will not only symbolize the commitment of the national and local government, but also signify recognition and appreciation of our national security,” ani Bagul.
Samantala, sinabi ni Galvez na ang lahat ng PAMANA projects ay isasailalim sa ‘strict monitoring at transparent reporting’ gamit ang accountability mechanisms sa pakiipag-ugnayan sa LGUs.
“We recognize that the government must earn trust every single day,” aniya pa rin sabay sabing “Our commitment is to deliver results that speak louder than words, and to ensure these projects uplift lives across generations.” /Kris Jose
