President Aquino 'Happy' that GRP and MILF finally agreed on wealth-sharing annex of Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Malacanang says

President Benigno S. Aquino expressed elation over the news that the peace panel represented by the members of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have finally agreed on the composition of the wealth-sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Malacanang said on Sunday.

In a press briefing aired over government-run station radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said this breakthrough showed the commitment of both parties to fulfilling the aspirations of the agreement.

“Masaya ang Pangulo na napirmahan na rin yung wealth sharing annex,” Valte said.

“…both sides (GRP and MILF) were able to demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that was signed,” she added.

The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both parties Sunday morning after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a joint statement released by both panels, the GRP and MILF said the wealth-sharing annex will “provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamor Basic Law’s provision on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

“The Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front today closed the 38th round of Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the signing of the Annex on Wealth Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

In a show of true commitment, the Parties extended the meeting, originally scheduled for four days to six days to be able to overcome their concerns and reach an agreement on the said Annex. The Parties believe that the Annex, which forms part of the FAB, will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Progress was also made by the Technical Working Group on Normalization and the special team on power sharing. The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) which will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the agreements held its first organizational meeting, led by its Chair Mr. Alistair MacDonald. The Parties gave special thanks to Dr. Steven Rood who transitioned from the International Contact Group to the monitoring team.

The Parties expressed their appreciation to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their continued commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.

The Parties also extend their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group, namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation. They also thank the members of the Technical Working Groups of both Parties which had worked on the Annex on Wealth sharing.”

Investments in Northern Mindanao more than double in Q1

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 15 (PIA) --- Inflow of new investments in Northern Mindanao for the first quarter of 2013 reached P3.44 billion, up by 223 percent from the P1.06 billion recorded in the same period in 2012.

Engr. Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the region, said the increase was driven by the 419 percent increase in investments in Misamis Oriental and 602 percent increase in Lanao del Norte, particularly in Iligan City.

Misamis Oriental recorded P2.37 billion of investments sharing 69 percent of the total regional investments while Lanao del Norte posted P688 million or 20 percent of the total.

Clarete said the increase in investments in Misamis Oriental is mostly from infrastructure and services sector which is 78.6 percent of the total investments in the region.

Major investments in the province include construction and expansion of tourism and business-related facilities such as that of Seda Hotel, Primavera Condotel, Tune Hotel, Monte Carlo Hotel and partial development of Alberto Resort.

He said most of the investments in Lanao del Norte are also classified under the infra and services sector which constitute plant expansion of Pilmico Foods Corporation and building renovation of Madelicious bakery in Iligan City.

Other investments in Lanao del Norte also include expansion of coffee production and establishment of school building in Tubod, he added.

The other three provinces meanwhile posted the following investments: Misamis Occidental with P226 million, Bukidnon with P115 million and Camiguin with P35 million. (APB/PIA-10)

Region 10 posts 19 percent increase in exports for 1st qtr

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 15 (PIA) --- A total value of US$200.91 million of exports was posted in region 10 for the first quarter of 2013, higher by 18.62 percent compared to the US$169.37 million exports recorded in the same period in 2012.

Data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region showed that Misamis Oriental contributed the lion’s share of US$127.91 million or 63.67 percent of the total regional exports followed by Lanao del Norte with US$54.64 million or 27.20 percent.

Bukidnon came next with US$15.1 million or 7.55 percent and Misamis Occidental with US$3.18 million or 1.58 percent.

In terms of exports by sector, coconut-based exports with a value of US$118.10 million remained as the region’s top export products contributing a 59 percent to the total regional exports.

Processed foods ranked next with canned pineapple as its main product earning US$26.42 million. Industrial manufactures, where sintered ore is the major commodity, ranked third with US$14.95 million export earnings sharing 7.5 percent of the total exports.

Meanwhile, oleochemicals remained the region’s top dollar earner with US$54.14 million representing 27 percent, followed by coconut oil with US$40.84 million or 20 percent and canned pineapple products with US$21.31 million or 11 percent.

Other top ten export products are sintered ore, lumber/core-sawn/finished/kiln dried, abaca fiber/pulp, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal, fresh pineapples, desiccated coconut, and cane raw sugar. (APB/PIA-10)

DTI tells coops: Enlist at SME Roving Academy and avail of the SSF

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 15 (PIA) -- Enlist at the Small Medium Enterprises Roving Academy (SMERA) and avail of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

This advice from Delia M. Ayano, DTI Provincial Director of Misamis Occidental, was directed to the representatives of the various cooperatives and members of the local chambers of commerce, who attended in the recent launching of the SMERA in the city.

The SMERA is run by DTI with partners from other government and non-government agencies (GO’s/NGO’s) who collaborate to address the needed support and interventions of the SME’s in running their business, Ayano said.

Among these GO’s are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Meanwhile, Ayano said the SSF has a loan package of some P700 million, nationwide, of which P40 million have been allocated for the micro SME’s in Northern Mindanao, to buy machinery and equipment for common use of beneficiaries.

So far, the DTI have found out that the reason why most of the MSME’s have closed-shop is the lack of machinery and equipment that tend to get a big share of their capital. And so, they can now charge such expenditure to the SSF, Ayano said.

Considered micro enterprises are those with an asset size of P3 million or less, small, with above P3 million up to P15 million and medium, with more than P15 million up to P100 million.

Meanwhile, Ayano said the SSF eligible industries include the following: raw materials supply chain, such as, production of abaca, bamboo and coconut coir, processed tropical fruits, such as, pineapple and calamansi, and processed fish/marine products, such as milkfish, tuna and seaweeds.

Also included are the leveraging industries supply chain, such as, fashion accessories, gifts, décor and housewares, and wearables and homestyles, support industries, such as metals and renewable energy and other agri-based industries, such as, production of cacao, dairy, coffee, organic fertilizer and processed food. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Ozamiz City heads list of LGUs cited for anti-filariasis campaign

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 15 (PIA) -- Ozamiz City headed the list of local government units (LGU) that were cited for their participation in the successful fight against filariasis in Misamis Occidental.

The Ozamiz LGU, together with the municipalities of Sinacaban, Baliangao, Jimenez and Tudela received special awards for consistently achieving above 85 percent coverage in the mass drug administration (MDA) in their areas.

Consisting of a two-drug combination, diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and albendazole, the MDA was among the strategies that worked in the campaign against the disease in the province.

The said LGU’s were also given plaques of recognition for their support to the campaign, which came in the form of transportation and gasoline, as well as, food of the health personnel who conducted the MDA.

The awarding took place during the recent declaration of Misamis Occidental as a “Filariasis-Free Province” by Assistant Secretary Enrique A. Tayag of the Department of Health, who handed the Filaria-Free Zone Seal to Governor Herminia M. Ramiro at Naomi’s Botanical Gardens, this city.

In hand to receive the award were Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Jr., for Ozamiz, Mayor Crisencio E. Mahilac for Sinacaban, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Kagawad Rudolp Tan for Baliangao and representatives of the local chief executives or Jimenez and Tudela.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rachel T. Micarandayo, Provincial Health Officer, said the MDA started in the province in 2007 that covered 159,851 or 31.47 percent of its targeted population of 507,917.

In 2008, the coverage rose to 418,499 or 76.11 percent of its target of 549,855. However, in 2009, the coverage went down to 457,066 or 85.15 percent of the targeted 547,960 population.

In 2010, the coverage rose to 489,283 or 89.29 percent of the targeted 547,960 population and went down, again to 476,020 or 86.67 percent of the targeted 532,149 population.

But last year, the MDA coverage, sprang to 503,947 or 93.45 percent of the targeted 539,268 population, Micarandayo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DTI launches the SME Roving Academy in Misamis Occidental

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 15 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched on July 12 the Small and Medium Enterprises Roving Academy (SMERA)-Gabay-Negosyo sa Pag-Asenso” in Misamis Occidental.

A continuous learning program, the SMERA aims for the development of micro, SME to become competitive, not only in the domestic but also in the global market, DTI Provincial Director Delia M. Ayano said.

She said the SMERA actually adopts the vision of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s “walang iwanan” (no one should be left behind) but to involve everybody in achieving inclusive growth.

This means a high economic growth that creates employment and draws the vast majority of the population into the economic and social mainstream, reduces mass poverty and allows the pursuit of the other Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Ayano said.

Meanwhile, Ayano said like other academies, the SMERA involves several learning stages, which the qualified SME will undergo, before they will be awarded certificates of completion and graduate to the next higher stages.

These stages include the Start-Up and Capability-Building, Market Awareness, Market Readiness, Export Readiness, Export Market Entry and Export Sustainability and Expansion.

Ayano said in all these stages, DTI will be there to help in the suggested and needed interventions, such as, business registration, permits procedure and accreditation, as well as skills enhancement trainings.

The SMERA will be run by DTI with partner agencies from the Business Development Services Providers, local government units, training institutions, academe, financial institutions, trade and industry associations and other government and non-government organizations.

Present during the launching were representatives of various cooperatives in the province, members of the Provincial SME Council and the Ozamiz City Chamber of Commerce, among others. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Misamis Occidental gets P1-M grant for successful fight vs Filariasis

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 13 (PIA) – The Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (CELF)-Philippines will give a P1-million grant to Misamis Occidental for its successful campaign against Filariasis.

This, after the province was formally declared “Filariasis-Free” by the Department of Health (DOH), last July 11, during which Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, Assistant Secretary of DOH, handed the “ Filaria-Free Zone” Seal to Governor Herminia M. Ramiro.

A celebration for the declaration was attended by the local officials, councilors, municipal and provincial health officers, especially the medical tenchnologists and other stakeholders.

Misamis Occidental is the second province in region 10, next to Bukidnon, and 18th in the list of endemic provinces in the country that has achieved the elimination of Filariasis as a public health problem.

Dr. Leda Hernandez, who represented Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Executive Director of CELF-Phil., said the grant may be used to continue the awareness campaign, training, capability-building and surveillance for Filaria incidence in the province.

Meanwhile, Lymphatic Filariasis, also known as “elephantiasis” is a debilitating and disfiguring disease, the infection of which is more commonly acquired in childhood but the visible manifestations occur in adults leading to temporary and permanent disability.

Dr. Rachel T. Micarandayo, Provincial Health Officer, said this parasitic infection is caused by thread-like worms, not commonly seen by the human eye but through the microscope, acquired through the bite of “Wucchereria Bancrofti” and “Brugia Malayi” mosquitoes.

Collection of blood samples for identification of microfilariae in a blood smear for microscopic examination should be done at night to coincide with its nocturnal appearance, Micarandayo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

NorMin’s fishery production up 0.17% in Q1

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- The total fishery production in Northern Mindanao reached 35,342 metric tons (MT) in the first quarter of 2013, up by 0.17 percent over that of previous year’s level of 35,282.65 MT.

Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) in the region showed that commercial fishing which accounted for 25 percent of the total production went up by 5.2 percent reaching 8,864.80 MT while municipal fishing declined by 1.05 percent posting 9,575.55 MT of output this year.

Aquaculture, the region’s biggest source accounting for 48 percent of the total fishery production, also went down by almost two percent from 17,178.58 MT in the first quarter of 2012 to only 16,901.66 MT this year.

Commercial fishing increased because more fishing trips were undertaken in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental, said Engr. Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of the Development Research Division of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the region during the NEDA Media Forum yesterday, July 11.

He said more unloading of seasonal species like tamban and tunaoy in Misamis Occidental and increased volume of unloaded tamban and galunggong in Misamis Oriental also contributed to the increase.

Clarete attributed the decrease in municipal fishing to the disturbances in the fishing grounds caused by the construction of a new bridge in Liangan, Maigo in Lanao del Norte, the damaged habitat of inland species in Bukidnon brought about by typhoon Pablo, and the accumulation of silt resulting from frequent flooding.

Meanwhile, the negative performance of aquaculture was caused by the decreased output of freshwater fishponds and marine fishcages.

Clarete said these declines were due to limited supply of fingerlings which resulted to operation stoppage in Pantar and Baloi of Lanao del Norte.

Moreover, some fishponds in Bukidnon were damaged by typhoon Pablo which led ten operators in the province to temporarily stop their operation, he added. (APB/PIA-10)

DSWD to pour P13 M for infra project in Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, July 13 (PIA)– The interior town of Poona Piagapo here in Lanao del Norte is the latest recipient of infrastructure projects amounting to P13 million pesos under the Makamasang Tugon program of the Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD).

A total of 15 projects are currently implemented in this town with 10 projects already fully completed.

Last July 9, Governor Khalid Dimaporo, together with DSWD-10 Assistant Regional Director Aldersey Mumar dela Cruz, led the ribbon-cutting rites for the ten completed projects in said municipality.

Among the projects turned-over to the recipient barangays were farm-to-market roads, level 2 water systems, and day care centers.

“We are very happy to make a difference in the lives of these people (Poona Piagapo residents), the provincial government is always ready with its financial counterpart whenever our municipal leaders need our assistance for projects like these,” expressed Governor Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo.

The Makamasang Tugon is the extended program of the successful KALAHI-CIDSS or the KApit Bisig LAban sa KaHIrapan which provided the blueprint for the latest anti-poverty program of the Aquino administration dubbed as National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP).

It is imperative that municipalities availing of Makamasang Tugon must finish their projects on time so as not to jeopardize their town’s enrolment in the NCDDP, explained ARD Dela Cruz.

Other DSWD core programs enjoyed by Poona Piagapo are KALAHI-CIDSS soon to be NCDDP, Pantawid Pamilya program, sustainable livelihood programs, protected services unit, Bottom-up Planning (BUP) program, PAMANA projects, elderly pension, and supplemental feeding for children.

Poona Piagapo is set to be enrolled in NCDDP on January 2014. Under this upgraded program, the town will receive significant number of social and infrastructure projects aimed at decreasing the incidence of poverty in this locality.

We are very much thankful for the cash counterpart of the provincial government especially to Gov. Dimaporo for his solid support to Poona Piagapo, said Town Mayor Farhana Palawan. (lvgabule/PIA-10 LDN/VNL/PIO-LDN)

Mindanao coal power plant employees participate in coastal clean-up drive

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 13 -- Employees of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) participated in a mangrove replanting and coastal clean-up drive in Brgy. Silad, Sugbongcon in the province of Misamis Oriental.

STEAG spokesperson Jerome R. Soldevilla said the activity is part of the company’s employee volunteerism activity and in support of its comprehensive environmental conservation programs.

Over the years, Steag have been providing material and funding support for the development and rehabilitation of about 16.4 hectares of mangrove areas in the province, cited Soldevilla.

The projects have been implemented in partnership with the concerned municipal LGUs and the provincial government of Misamis Oriental.

More than 66,000 propagules have been grown so far in the municipal coasts Sugbongcogon, Villanueva, Balingasag, Gitagum and the cities of El Salvador and Gingoog. (SPI/PIA10)

Northern Mindanao posts flat growth in palay production in Q1

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- Northern Mindanao posted a flat growth in the production of palay in the first quarter of 2013 compared with the same quarter last year.

Data gathered by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region showed that for the first quarter of this year, the region produced 143,179 metric tons (MT) of palay, up by only 0.6 percent from the last year’s production of 143,088 MT.

Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of the Development Research Division of NEDA-10, attributed the flat production to the negative performance of the four provinces in the region despite the 19 percent increase in production in Misamis Occidental.

Production in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental both declined by eight percent due to insufficient supply of irrigation and rainfall as well as in area harvested.

In the first quarter of 2012, Lanao del Norte produced 22,235 MT of palay but it reduced to 20,436 MT this year while Misamis Oriental had a measly production of 4,079 MT this year compared with last year’s 4,439 MT.

Bukidnon also produced 100,354 MT this year, a decrease of 0.68 percent from the 101,040 palay production in the same quarter last year.

Drop in yields were further noted in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental during the quarter due to strong winds caused by typhoon Pablo that affected the area during the reproductive stage.

On the other hand, Misamis Occidental posted a 19 percent growth producing 18,045 MT of palay compared to the 15,104 MT produced the same period last year.

Clarete said the increase was due to the recultivation of areas under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) canal rehab in Aloran and those idled areas in Bonifacio.

Additional areas were also cultivated in Baliangao, Lopez Jaena, Tangub and Bonifacio, he added.

Despite the flat growth in the production of palay, its value rose to P2.491 million this year or about 4.32 percent than that of the previous year. (APB/PIA-10)

Senator newbie stirs up charter change in university forum

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III took up the proposal to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution in a forum, “Charter: To Change or Not To Change” here on July 1.

He also discussed in detail various government systems that can be of big help in upholding good governance in the country.

During the forum, Pimentel shared that with the 26 years existence of the 1987 Constitution, there have been efforts to amend the constitution and many reasons have been given such as political stability and economic difficulty. He also cited the major proposals espoused by advocates on constitutional change including the shift from the current presidential to a parliamentary form of government.

In his presentation, Pimentel said that by its design, the parliamentary form of government is said to foster effective good governance as well as it avoids the legislative-executive gridlock. It also ensures democratic survival.

However, he said this type of governance does not foster a balance of power: there is a tendency for the executive to be dominant and the legislature has little or no power at all to administer checks and balances in government. Also he noted the present system requires a genuine multi-party system based on distinct ideology.

With a unicameral form of legislature, Pimentel said this will eliminate conflicts and deadlocks between the two Houses of Congress, and government will be able to save as much as P1.2 billion per year which will eventually enhance social services. He also mentioned that in a parliamentary, legislative activity will become clearer, more accountable, and more understandable to the public.

On federalism, Pimentel said that this will require two levels of administration where each is assigned specific functions and is independent of each other, and each state will exercise individual autonomy.

When asked on the type of governance that will help solve the Mindanao crisis, Pimentel said that adopting the federal system will be the most flexible to address the Mindanao situation “because theoretically, the federal system would allow the state to give you autonomy, will allow you to preserve your culture and your institutions and of course generally serve your people better.”

At the end of the forum, Pimentel expressed that he will go for federalism which he notes as the cure for the centralization of power in the seat of government and he is also open in adopting a unicameral form of legislature.

After stating various government systems that can be adopted in the country, Pimentel said that every form of system has a special focus which may not be effective to a certain problem or crisis. Hence, he reiterated that everyone must take a part in finding ways on how to improve the justice system in the country which is possible through conducting fora like this.

For her part, Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit of the Research and Social Outreach (RSO) of Xavier University cited the forum is a good venue and chance to better understand salient points of charter change.

She said XU has three development goals. One of these is on greater societal engagements, “We have concretized these in five thematic areas which include on food security, environment, health, peace and last on governance. This particular event is a major activity for the governance aspect and it’s actually part of the annual public forum service that we are doing. (RTP/PIA10)

City to create peace and order Cagayan de Oro Task Force

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 12 -- Discussion on the proposal to create Task Force Cagayan de Oro started on July 11 with the participation of officers of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), among others.

According to a statement from Councilor Ramon G. Tabor, chair of the City Council committee on police, fire and public safety, as the city continues to grow, there is a need for concerted efforts of all to strengthen the city’s peace and order drive.

This was the first item in the agenda of the first committee meeting called by Tabor.

He explained that robbery incidents have been occurring three to four times a day in broad daylight, drugs are peddled everywhere, and incidents of killings have been taking place. Something drastic has to be done, he said.

The councilor said he believes it is time for the city to create a task force similar to Task Force Davao, which was meant to avert the spate of bombing incidents.

The meeting was attended by Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 Regional Director C/Supt. Catalino B. Rodriguez Jr; P/Supt Emmanuel Hebron of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO); LtC Evan Bermudo and Major Ricky Canatoy of the Fourth Infantry Division (4ID); P/SInsp. Pepito Reyes of CIDG, and the private sector such as the Oro Bankers, Liceo de Cagayan University, among others.

As an offshoot of discussions, the committee adopted a resolution requesting Mayor Oscar Moreno to convene the Cagayan de Oro Peace and Order Council (CPOC) and appoint its members.

Tabor said the proposed creation of the task force will be presented to the CPOC.

He said the meeting this morning is the first of a series of meetings to be held on the matter.

“We want to create a task force to address the pressing and common fear of our residents,” he added.

Oro Banker official Erlquin O. Lim lauded the committee for the move.

“The creation of the task force will be fully supported in by the Oro Bankers. We will be the first to rejoice with its creation,” he said.

Councilors Alden Bacal, Edna Dahino and Roger Abaday were present during the meeting. (CdeSP/PIA10)

DSWD-Lanao Sur B implements 118 projects under Pamana program

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 12 (PIA) -- A total of 118 projects are currently implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - Lanao del Sur B in the second district of this province.

These projects comprises construction of tire path, path way, latrine, day care center, solar dryer, school building, health station, multi-purpose center, laundry shed, and coco dryer are implemented under the Pillar 2 of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Pamana) program.

Reports from the DSWD-Lanao Sur B showed that the projects with a total cost of P35.4 million are being carried-out in all of the barangays of the six pilot towns of the program.

These towns are Calanogas, Kapatagan, Marogong, Pagayawan, Pualas and Tubaran.

Marogong with 24 barangays got the highest allocation of P7.2 million followed by Pualas with 23 barangays sharing P6.9 million.

The share of the other towns are as follows: Tubaran with 21 barangays (P6.3 million), Pagayawan with 18 barangays (P5.4 million), Calanogas with 17 barangays (P5.1 million), and Kapatagan with 15 barangays (P4.5 million).

The Pamana is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

A complementary track to peace negotiations, Pamana seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address people’s needs and promote peace at the same time. (APB/PIA-10)