Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday (August 30) led the turnover ceremony of 200 modified shelter units to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ex-militants and their families in Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte.
On the same day, the OPAPRU and DSWD also oversaw the groundbreaking ceremony of additional 75 housing units that brings to completion the Sibuco housing project and provide more housing for Zamboanga del Norte residents who are constantly affected by armed conflicts.
These modified shelter units are under the Payapa at Mapayapang Pamayanan’s (PAMANA) Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP), a joint program by the OPAPRU and DSWD in partnership with concerned LGUs which seeks to extend high-quality, impact-driven initiatives and projects to promote peace and development in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.
Also present in the ceremony were DSWD Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay, Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura, DSWD Assistant Secretary Arnel Garcia, Field Office (FO)-9 Regional Director Riduan Hadjimudin, military and police officials and municipal council members.#