CORTES – About ten associations in Cortes, Surigao del Sur received livelihood projects from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) on March 15, 2023.

In line with its implementation of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), the provision of livelihood projects aims to help uplift the socio-economic status of families in conflict-vulnerable and afflicted areas and empower their role and capacities in society.

The associations received projects such as community store, rice trading, copra buy and sell with delivery tricycle, water refilling station, mini rice mill building with delivery tricycle, and tourist shuttle service. These projects were personally identified and proposed by the associations as stipulated in the program’s Memorandum Circular 22.

During the turnover, OIC Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul S. Parajes emphasized the necessity for the association members to strengthen their relationships by resolving problems immediately. “So ang importante kung naay mga problema sa asosasyon, maoy unahon [ug resolba] (It is important that associations resolve their problems immediately).”

Cortes Mayor Josie M. Bonifacio was also present during the activity and committed that the local government unit would provide assistance to the associations, especially in their business operations.

PAMANA is a national government development program spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, focusing on the country’s peace and order agenda.(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)