The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has approved a budget of more than P1.4 billion for the administration’s peace and development initiative dubbed “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” (PAMANA) Program.
To be administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the program consists of micro-level interventions in response to conflict and strengthening peace-building efforts. The program also supports the government’s efforts to rebuild and develop vulnerable areas and those affected by conflict.
“We immediately approved the release of (the) Special Allotment Release Order, amounting to P1.4 billion, for the implementation of PAMANA Program, as we fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s peace and national development agenda,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement on Wednesday.
The PAMANA program is being administered in two tracks: PAMANA Peace and Development Project, and the PAMANA Local Government Unit (LGU)-Led Livelihood Track.
The peace and development track aims to empower conflict-vulnerable and conflict-affected regions and indigenous communities by providing better access to basic services and creating a platform where recognized communities propose projects to meet their needs.
For this track, the DBM said P351.07 million is allocated to the capacity building of 198 target areas in regions I, II, IV A and B, VI to VIII, X and XIII as well as the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Meanwhile, LGU-led livelihood track will cover livelihood assistance programs to complement community subprojects under the peace and development track.
It aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas with a view to a more sustainable community development.
For this track, P1.049 billion has been allocated to benefit sustainable livelihood associations in 981 target areas in regions II to VI, IX and XIII, as well as CAR and the Negros Island Region, the DBM said.
The budget appropriated to the PAMANA Program will come from the DSWD’s budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
