Butuan City- Experienced workers of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) served as resource persons during the Basic Orientation on PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) project for Area and Municipal Coordinating Teams (A/MCTs) on April 24-28, 2014 at Elizabeth Hall, Prince Hotel, Butuan City.

Area coordinators Ruby Magatines, Emilly Gatillo, Nezza May Arroza, Rubie Grace Labor, and Annabella Madelo were the seasoned field workers discussed some PAMANA modules and shared their experiences in implementing the Project.

The following Regional Project Management Office (RPMO) staff also acted as speakers: Regional Community Development Specialist Esterlita Villamor, Regional Project Coordinator Elsa Montemor, Community Development Assistant Caroline Catalan, Finance Analyst III Dave Benette Calo, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers Edward John Ty  and Charlotte Alicante, Regional Infrastructure Assistant Moner Angay, and Training Specialist III Glezza Ty.

This orientation and workshop was participated by new members of the region’s A/MCT of the 13 identified KC-PAMANA areas who will facilitate the integration activities for Peace lens to the conflict-affected communities. Regional Training Officer Robelene Becerro served as the training manager.

This activity is designed to enhance the capabilities of the workers in implementing PAMANA project. For this training, the major topics discussed were Peace and Social Cohesion, PAMANA Framework, and Participatory Conflict Assessment.

PAMANA is the national government’s peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas (CAAs). Its objectives are: to reduce poverty through community and focused delivery of social services, to improve governance by convergence of the delivery of basic social services, and to build capacities of communities in addressing the disputes and promoting peace through activities that insure participation and inclusion.

In the Philippines, there are 7 PAMANA zones from which Caraga is included. For 2014, the municipalities that were identified as CAAs in the region are Bayabas, San Miguel, Tagbina, Esperanza, La Paz, San Luis, Veruela, Jabonga, Kitcharao, RTR, Alegria, Gigaquit, and Mainit.  ###(Eunice G. Montaos/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)