Fourteen community road improvement subprojects, worth P17,054,374.80 and benefiting 2,845 households, were turned over to the City of Escalante in Negros Occidental by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region, through the Pamana Peace and Development Program (PDP).
The program reinforces the government’s commitment to peacebuilding and inclusive development in conflict-vulnerable areas, the DSWD-NIR said in a statement Feb. 10, adding that the subprojects were implemented in the conflict-vulnerable areas of Alimango, Binaguiohan, Buenavista, Dian-ay, Japitan, Langub, Libertad, Mabini, Malasibog, Paitan, Pinapugasan, Rizal, Udtongan, and Washington, all in Escalante.
The improvement of community roads was aimed at enhancing access to basic services, improve mobility, and support local economic activities.
The DSWD-NIR said that 2,845 households are expected to directly benefit from the completed road projects, which aim to strengthen community resilience, promote social cohesion, and address development gaps in geographically isolated and conflict-affected communities.
It forms part of DSWD-NIR’s continuing implementation of Pamana (PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn) PDP, and reflects the agency’s dedication to reaching communities in identified conflict-vulnerable areas and working closely with local government units to respond to their development needs.
Meanwhile, the San Rafael Indigenous Peoples Farm Laborers Association launched the Pamana rice mill project in Sitio Ga-as, Barangay San Rafael, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, Feb. 10.
Implemented under the DSWD-NIR’s Pamana LGU-led initiative, the project represents a sustainable livelihood engine built to empower farmers, strengthen their association, and keep essential processing services accessible and affordable.
The initiative directly addresses key challenges by placing efficient rice milling at the heart of the community, the DSWD-NIR said, adding that farmers can now save valuable time and resources previously spent on travel, allowing them to reinvest these gains into productivity and family stability.
The result is increased income for farmers and a more secure, self-reliant local food supply, the department stressed. ||
