Sec. Deles wants sustainability of PAMANA projects

HERNANI, Eastern Samar, Nov. 26 (PNA) - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles is positive that the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project will be sustained for as long as people will put “Matuwid na Daan” candidates in power.

PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.

Deles said that all projects that are ongoing this year will be completed before the end of Aquino administration.

“That’s the reason why we are hoping that the Matuwid na Daan will continue for the guaranteed continuation of the project,” said Deles in her visit to this town on Wednesday. “Thus, I am challenging the people to support candidates endorsed by the President.”

According to her, PAMANA is just a temporary program, which can be successful if government assistance will be able to reach areas tagged as infested by rebels.

This is the reason government agencies converge with other government agencies like the military and the Philippine National Police to answer the need for security assistance.

For 2015, PAMANA got a budget of Php7.25 billion.

A complementary track to peace negotiations, the program is anchored on the Aquino administration’s strategy of winning the peace by forging strategic partnerships with national agencies in promoting convergent delivery of goods and services, and addressing regional development challenges in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.

Deles visited this town as one of PAMANA recipients. Hernani posted the highest number of human loss in the province, with 87 casualties when super typhoon Yolanda hit central Philippines on November 8, 2013. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR