Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman believes that if negotiations on the peace process is derailed, it would impede the gains that the government has achieved in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Sec. Soliman cited that because the situation has stabilized, 416,637 families have benefited from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the region.

“Continued armed conflict would the investments on the education and health of Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries,” Sec. Soliman explained.

She said that in times of conflict, communities are displaced, schools and health services are discontinued, and food becomes inadequate.

“Children’s schooling will definitely be suspended, including the 1,158,021 Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries,” Sec. Soliman stressed.

Aside from Pantawid Pamilya, the DSWD has also undertaken various programs and projects in ARMM. These include construction of day care centers, Modified Shelter Assistance Project, Emergency Shelter Assistance, Supplementary Feeding, Sustainable Livelihood, and Cash-For-Work.

In Mamasapano alone, DSWD has implemented the following projects since 2009: Pantawid Pamilya for 3,494 families (2009), Sustainable Livelihood Program for 1,500 families (2012-2014), modified shelter under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) for 53 families (2012), training center under the Bottom Up Budgeting ( 2013),  2 million worth of livelihood assistance (2015), supplementary feeding for 1,616 children (2012-2015), and social pension for 826 indigent older persons (2012 -2015)  ###