167 shelter units for displaced families completed

MANILA, Philippines - The Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has com­pleted the construction of 167 core shelter units for families displaced by the armed conflict in North Cotabato.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the government will spend some P15.3 million to build 295 shelter units in Pigcawayan, Aleosan and Midsayap in North Cotabato under the Payapa at Masaganang Pama­yanan (PAMANA) program. She said each unit will cost around P50,000.

PAMANA is a government program and framework for peace and development in conflict areas. It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of armed conflict.

The program is being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the DSWD implementing Pillar 1, which provides modified shelter and Pillar 2, which provides peace and development/livelihood fund to target beneficiaries.