In line with the establishment of the ‘Buong Bansa Mapayapa’ (BBM) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the agency is set to improve its services to efficiently implement the deradicalization and reintegration programs to former rebels and their families.
“Ang pinaka goal ng peace and development program ng DSWD is to break the cycle of poverty, break the cycle of violence. Yun po yung ultimate na mission ng DSWD when it comes to the peace and development agenda ng bansa,” DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Alan Tanjusay explained during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
(The main goal of the DSWD’s peace and development program is to break the cycle of poverty and violence. That is the ultimate mission of the DSWD when it comes to the country’s peace and development agenda.)
Undersecretary Tanjusay told reporters that the signing of the BBM peace and development program last December 2023 by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has formalized the creation of the Peace and Development Program Management Unit at the DSWD Central Office and the Regional Program Management Offices in the pilot regions in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and SOCCSKSARGEN.
In addition, Usec. Tanjusay said the program will also incorporate the provision of psychosocial interventions to former rebels through the development of psychosocial case management modules that will be rolled out in priority areas.
“Nag-hire po kami ng mga international consultants at magdedevelop po kami ng mga case management modules na tailor fit sa mga kultura at mga paniniwala ng mga former rebels na ito. Halimbawa, meron tayong counseling and family development sessions para sa mga Muslim and non-Muslim rebels so inaasahan po namin na before the end of the year ay matapos namin yung mga psychosocial case management modules na ito,” Usec. Tanjusay pointed out.
(We hired international consultants to develop case management modules tailored to the cultures and beliefs of these former rebels. For example, we have counseling and family development sessions for both Muslim and non-Muslim rebels. We expect to complete these psychosocial case management modules before the end of the year.)
Update on the PAMANA Program
During the media forum, Usec. Tanjusay presented some updates on the implementation of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, which is supervised by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
The PAMANA is the flagship peace and development program of the national government on peace-building, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in conflict-affected and -vulnerable areas.
The DSWD implements the PAMANA Program in two tracks, the Peace and Development Track and the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Led Track, according to Usec. Tanjusay’s power point presentation.
In 2023, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) was able to complete 83 percent of its target projects under the Peace and Development Track.
Under the LGU-Led Track, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department was able to complete 66 percent of its target in 2023, Usec. Tanjusay said.
Last February, the DSWD, through the efforts of its Program Management Bureau (PMB) and the LGU of Ibajay, Aklan held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a Php1.7 million-worth Child Development Center (CDC) in Barangay Cabugao.
The Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), through the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) was able to complete 99 MSAP units. Some 401 MSAP units are ongoing construction in various community sites in Zamboanga Peninsula. #
