The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is mandated to protect and promote the rights, welfare, and well-being of every Filipino — especially those who are living in remote, vulnerable, and conflict-affected areas. Its programs include the provision of shelter assistance in these communities.
Just recently, the department, through its regional office, turned over 100 housing units to families in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte and Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. The activity is part of the Philippine government’s national peace agenda investments among conflict-affected areas. Keep on reading to learn more about it!
Image Credit: dswd.gov.ph
Families in Zamboanga Receive PAMANA Housing Units
The turnover of the housing units was carried out last Thursday, April 18, 2024. “These housing units are the government’s peace investment designed to unite family in one roof and nurture family values believing the dividends will spawn genuine and durable peace,” stated DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Alan Tanjusay, as cited in a DSWD press release.
“It is the government’s resolve that this investment for peace will eventually create development and prosperity in the municipality, in the province and in the region,” the Undersecretary stated, as he addressed the beneficiaries — organized as neighborhood associations, barangay and local government officials during separate turnover rites.
Usec. Tanjusay, together with DSWD Field Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) program implementors, and representatives of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) turned over 50 shelters to family-beneficiaries in Tungawan led by Mayor Carlnan Climaco, and another 50 units to family-beneficiaries in Sirawai led by Mayor Adjazar Janihim.
Furthermore, through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Mayors Climaco and Janihim, the Undersecretary committed an additional 50 housing units for families in Tungawan and 150 housing units in Sirawai, as part of the implementation of the PAMANA program this 2024.
“Napakagandang tumulong sa mga local chief executives kahit napakahirap puntahan ang kanilang mga munisipyo dahil masipag at may malasakit ang punongbayan sa kanyang mga constituents (It is wonderful to help local chief executives even if their municipalities are hard to reach because they are hardworking and truly care for their constituents),” Usec. Tanjusay explained. “With the full cooperation of the mayors, the PAMANA shelters were finished on schedule.”
Notably, PAMANA stands for the Philippine government’s “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan,” which provides the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) to conflict-affected areas. It is implemented by the DSWD, in collaboration with DSWD Field Office 9, OPAPRU, and Local Government Units (LGUs).
For his part, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian continues to enhance the department’s peace and development programs by levelling up its psycho-social case management deradicalization and reintegration modules, which are designed for former rebels and conflict and vulnerable communities.
Thanks to the DSWD, OPAPRU, LGUs, and other stakeholders, conflict-affected areas in the region can look forward to a safer and more progressive community development. Check out this article to lean more about the PAMANA program of the DSWD.