After a memorandum signing by some 28 barangay captains of San Jorge in Samar,  the municipality is now set to lay the groundwork for the implementation of the PAMANA – Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP),  a joint undertaking of the Office of the Provincial Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Municipal Mayor, Nancy Grey,  in her welcome remarks during a program orientation held recently,  appealed to the barangay officials to listen by heart and inculcate in their minds what the newly – introduced socio-economic project is all about.  She also told them to be thankful to the DSWD for endlessly coming up with various programs that aim to lift them up from poverty..

Said DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operation, Nestor Ramos, the PAMANA – assisted livelihood and capacity – building project is simply a development program by which community folks themselves will identify the projects and sustain its implementation.  He made special mention about the participation, too, of people who have not returned to the folds of the law, but hopefully will be encouraged to be mainstreamed into society.

Ramos emphasized, “we will be instituting peace initiatives in your barangay.”

Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Remia Tapispisan underscored the basic concept of the PAMANA – SLP venture as an over-all peace-building program that is to be implemented in conflict – affected and conflict vulnerable areas.  She explained that the program seeks to contribute to lasting peace by reducing poverty and improving the quality of life of the poor.

Tapispisan added that the role of the DSWD is to provide technical assistance to implementing people’s organizations, sees that there is harmonious implementation of the program, ensure the wise use of funds, among others.  The PAMANA-SLP will provide a community cash grant of Php300,000 to the duly selected people’s organization within a particular conflict-affected/vulnerable , barangay for a period of three years, she said.