Forty-one conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in Antique are identified as beneficiaries of livelihood projects from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

Noli Valenzuela, DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program team leader in Antique, said they have already submitted the project proposals of the 41 conflict-affected and vulnerable areas for the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) peace and development initiative to the DSWD 6 (Western Visayas).

“Each of the 41 conflict-affected and vulnerable areas or barangays will be allocated PHP300,000 for their livelihood projects,“ Valenzuela said in an interview Friday.

He said that among the projects proposed by the beneficiaries are poultry feeds, rice retailing, and pre- and post-harvest facilities.

“A barangay in the municipality of Laua-an is proposing native pig breeding for their livelihood project, while in Tobias Fornier, it is native chicken-raising,” Valenzuela said.

He said the beneficiaries are from the 14 towns of Antique that used to have sightings or presence of the New People’s Army.

He said they hope for the release of the funding by September or October, once approved by the DSWD.

Last year, the PAMANA was implemented in four towns – Sebaste, Laua-an, Pandan, and Culasi. (PNA)