LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. disclosed that the Bicol region will receive at least P654 million for the implementation of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program for next year.
PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. visits a trade fair at the Bicol University grounds during the launching of the Kapeacetahan peace fair in Legazpi City. (Photo via Nino Luces)
During the launching of the Kapeacetahan peace fair at the Bicol University in Daraga, Albay on Friday, September 15, Galvez said that P654 million has been allotted for Bicol out of the P5.3 billion actual allocated fund of Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Pamana program.
"Ang ating project na nakalaan sa National Expenditure Program is more or less P5 billion. Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kay (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Secretary (Manuel) Bonoan. Si Secretary Bonoan po ang siyang nagbigay ng allocation na ‘yan, binigay po sa amin dahil kinausap po sila ng mahal nating kongresista, Congressman Joey Salceda. Ang nakalaan po sa buong Bicol region ay more or less P600 million or P654 million," Galvez said.
Galvez said that the fund will be used for social livelihood programs, road and bridges programs, water systems, and livelihood programs for conflict-affected areas in Bicol.
"Sa awa ng Diyos, siguro madadagdagan pa po ‘yan sa tulong ng ating Kongreso, ng ating Senado, at ng ating mga economic planners," Galvez added.
Compared to last year, the 2024 allocation for the Pamana program is 8,100 percent or more than P5 billion higher.
"Napakalaki ng tinaas kasi, basically ‘yung aming Pamana program is only P200 million. Ngayon nakikita natin more than P5 billion. Nakikita natin 8,100 percent. Ganun kalaki ang itinaas. From merely zero ngayon lumaki. Pangako po nga ng ating mahal na Kongreso na tuluyan ng itaas ito dahil naniniwala sila sa formula ni Congressman (Joey) Salceda na ang peace investment is a fiscal issue. So meron po tayong proyekto para sa ating mga rebel returnees, sa kanilang mga pamilya, hindi na po tayo magkakaroon ng resurgences. Ang sabi nga ng ating mahal na Presidente (Marcos), we will not go back to square one," Galvez said.
The Kapeacetahan peace fair was also attended by the president of the Bicol University, Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III, Bicol police director Police Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque, 9th Infantry Division (ID) commander Major Gen. Adonis Bajao, a representative of Mayor Geraldine Rosal here, and Polangui, Albay Mayor Adrian Salceda.