BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) -- A total of 17 organizations in six towns in Mountain Province recently received P5 million livelihood assistance under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan - Sustainable Livelihood Program (PAMANA-SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns, Arnel B.  Garcia, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) consultants Thomas A. Kilip and Bismarck D. Soliba, and Mountain Province  Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. led the awarding of P300,000.00 cash assistance, and a certificate of accreditation to each of the organizations on Feb. 27 at the provincial multipurpose hall. 

The beneficiary associations include six from Bontoc, three in Sadanga, and two each from the municipalities of Barlig, Besao, Sagada and Tadian. They will use the cash assistance purposely for the livelihood project they have proposed.

These are: Talipyakhew  Organization; Paingan Livelihood Organization; Letang Farmer’s Organization; Maligcong Livelihood Organization; Mainit Rural Improvement Organization; Bangcagan SLPA; Demang Sagada SLP.

Catengan Small Raisers Association; Tamdan SLPA; Mon-us-usa Organization; Panicha Organization; Masla Swine Raisers SLPA; Enpaan Livelihood Association; Ob-obbo Farmers SLPA; Ay-aywanan SLPA; Yum-mad Tawid Organization; Belwang Livelihood Organization.

Garcia emphasized that the assistance provides the beneficiaries with an opportunity towards a better life, but it’s up to them to make it productive or not.  

 “Ito pong binigay sa inyo na cash ay pagyamin ninyo, ito po ay pagkakataon na ibinigay, kasi nagtiwala kayo sa amin, so nagtitiwala din po kami sa inyo na babaguhin ninyo ang inyong mga buhay,” he said.

[Make this cash assistance given to you grow. This is an opportunity given to you because we have trust in you that you can change your life for the better.] 

“Tandaan ninyo, ipinasa na namin sa inyo yung livelihood (assistance). Wala na po sa aming mga kamay ang pagtaguyod ng kaunlaran at ang pagtaguyod ng pag-unlad ng inyong mga pamilya, nasa inyong mga kamay na ito. Nasa inyo ito para patayin or buhayin (paunlarin),” he added.

[We are  giving you livelihood assistance. It now lies on your hands how you will manage it to help your families for the better. It’s up to you to make it grow, or kill it.]  

Lacwasan also challenged the beneficiaries to sustain their projects. He said that this will immensely help their families and the community.

The PAMANA-SLP is a collaboration between DSWD and OPAPRU. As the lead agency for the implementation of the PAMANA,the government’s program and framework for peace and development, OPAPRU is the primary source of funds, while DSWD implements the livelihood interventions. (CVBT-PIA Mountain Province)