At least 28 associations located in conflict-affected villages in Surigao del Norte province have received PHP300,000 livelihood grants each, or a total of PHP8.4 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13).

In a statement Wednesday, DSWD-13 said the aid forms part of the implementation of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the agency.

The 28 recipient groups are from the different villages in the towns of Alegria, Claver, Gigaquit, Mainit, Placer, San Francisco and Surigao City.

“The livelihood grant is intended to boost the livelihood activities of the associations in the far-flung and conflict-vulnerable areas in Surigao del Norte,” DSWD-13 said.

Launched in 2011, PAMANA is a peace and development priority program of the national government that provides support to groups and communities affected by conflicts.

The DSWD’s SLP, meanwhile, is a capability-building package for vulnerable and marginalized communities by providing them with livelihood programs and services to improve their economic lives.

The DSWD-13 said it will also provide the necessary technical assistance to the 28 associations to develop their livelihood projects. (PNA)