PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sibulan sitio eyed to benefit from peace, development project

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- A sitio in the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental was identified as one of the proposed communities for the Peace and Development Community (PDC) livelihood and development projects in the Negros island.

Sitio Talirokon in Brgy. Enrique Villanueva of Sibulan town was identified by the Manila-based Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) after an intensive profiling done last year.

Engr. Patricio Miaco of Bais City Engineer's Office

The sitio is located around 50 kilometers away from Sibulan town proper. Its 1,118 hectare-area accommodates 57 families, said Sibulan Information Officer Connie Rosales.

A total of P24 million has been allocated for the community development and livelihood projects from PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) which covers the development interventions to be implemented in the identified communities.

“The funds will be released in tranches to the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental and the Sibulan municipal government once the closure agreement has been signed,” said Rosales.

PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in conflict-affected areas which aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities to address issues of conflict through community-driven initiatives that promote peace.

Said initiatives include capacity building, road rehabilitation and livelihood projects.

In view of this, officials from OPAPP and selected leaders of the Negros and Panay Peace and Development Community are set to meet with representatives from the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) this month to discuss the mechanics of the PDC projects.

“They will determine the appropriate livelihood and other development interventions for the identified communities,” said Rosales.

According to OPAPP Executive Director Luisito Montalbo during a writeshop conducted recently in Bacolod City, the government through OPAPP is vigorously pursuing a closure track with both the Tabara-Paduano Group and the RPMP-RPA-ABB.

“The socio-economic development component of the agreement will be given to communities through PAMANA,” said Montalbo.

In line with the mandatory provision for the closure pact with the RPMP-RPA-ABB is the disposition of arms and forces and its transformation into a legal, unarmed, socio-economic organization. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)