Gov't earmarks P207 M for CBA-CPLA projects

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process announced yesterday that the Aquino administration has initially earmarked P207 million for livelihood and community projects of the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, along with Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, National Commission on Indigenous People’s chairperson Zenaida Brigida Pawid, Cordillera local chief executives, and Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations Rear Admiral Miguel Jose Rodriguez, witnessed the ceremonial turnover of the fund to the conduits and implementing partners in the Cordillera Administrative Region during the launch of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program at the Pines View Hotel in Baguio City yesterday.

Deles said the P207 million is part of the P264 million stipulated in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by the government and the CBA-CPLA last July 4.

Pamana is the government’s program and framework for peace and development aimed at reducing poverty, improve governance, and empower conflict-affected communities.

Deles said the P207 million will be distributed as follows: Abra, P45 million; Apayao, P35.8 million; Benguet, P11.1 million; Ifugao, P47.37 million; Kalinga, P15.2 million; and Mt. Province, P52.5 million.

Deles said the first tranche of P64.62 million will be officially handed over today for infrastructure and livelihood projects in these provinces.

The Joint Committee (JC), composed of members from the government and the CBA-CPLA and which oversees and monitors the implementation of the MOA, gave the go-signal for the fund turnover after the projects had undergone the community validation process.

For 2012, the Joint Committee hopes to receive complete requirements to carry out the fund turnover and implementation of the rest of the identified projects.

Funds for the inter-municipal projects are also programmed for release next year.

Community projects identified in the MOA include the construction of bridges, roads, tramlines and irrigation systems; community electrification; livelihood support through cooperatives; and building of multi-function buildings.   – With Artemio Dumlao