Over PHP1.4 billion will be earmarked for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) implementation and monitoring of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday.

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote lasting peace and development, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the issuance of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) covering the funding requirements for the PAMANA Program.

“We immediately approved the release of SARO, amounting to PHP1.4 billion, for the implementation of PAMANA Program, as we fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s peace and national development agenda,” Pangandaman said.

“Mahalaga po na magtuluy-tuloy ang PAMANA Program dahil ito ‘yung nagbibigay-suporta sa pangmatagalang pag-unlad ng lokalidad, lalo na ‘yung mga vulnerable communities sa bansa (It is important that the PAMANA Program continues because it supports the long-term development of localities, especially vulnerable communities in the country).”

The program is composed of micro-level interventions to respond to conflict and strengthen peace-building efforts, as well as support reconstruction and development in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.

It is being implemented in two tracks, the PAMANA Peace and Development Project and the PAMANA Local Government Unit (LGU)-Led Livelihood Track.

The PAMANA Peace and Development Project seeks to empower conflict-vulnerable and conflict-affected regions and indigenous communities by providing improved access to basic services and a platform where identified communities can propose projects based on their needs.

The project would get an allocation of PHP351.071 million for the capacity building of 198 target areas or communities in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

Meanwhile, the PAMANA LGU-Led Livelihood Track is composed of livelihood assistance programs implemented together with the LGUs to complement the community subprojects under the PAMANA Peace and Development Track.

It aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas toward sustainable development.

A total of PHP1.049 billion would be used for the PAMANA LGU-LED Livelihood Track for 981 target areas for Sustainable Livelihood Associations in regions CAR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga.

The DBM said the appropriated budget for the PAMANA Program is chargeable against the DSWD’s Specific Budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“Of these, PHP500 million shall be used for peace and development case management process to facilitate the healing process of individuals, families, and communities over traumas from armed conflict struggles to build their resilience, consistent with the Special Provision of the DSWD budget under the FY 2025 GAA,” it said. (PNA)