TACLOBAN CITY – Around P20 million budget for the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) implementation in the region was reverted to the national government for funding government intervention against corona virus disease (COVID-19).
This was disclosed by Pamana’s regional manager Emilda Bonifacio who added that the national government assured her that this would be replaced.
The fund was intended for the implementation of livelihood projects in areas that are being assisted by the Pamana with the help of national government agencies.
“There was a problem on implementing the livelihood project due to COVID-19 because there is a need for a face-to-face interaction which is not allowed in our present health protocols,” Bonifacio said.
“We cannot distribute the funds not unless we are able to meet and talk to the beneficiaries,” she added.
Bonifacio clarified that their road projects would still continue as funding for these was not stopped.
“We assure our partners that our inter-road projects, particularly those located in Samar provinces, will continue,” she said.
Since 2011, the national government through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in the implementation of Pamana projects had downloaded more than P4.2 billion fund for Eastern Visayas.
“Hopefully by 2020, our proposed projects will be funded as these are involves big road network for the promotion of peace and development for Eastern Visayas,” she said.
Aside from big road networks and livelihood projects, Pamana also funds farm-to-market roads, and potable water systems mostly in communities in Samar province identified to be affected by the New People’s Army influence. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
