PAMANA Coffee Table Book

P A M A N A
PAyapa at MAsaganang pamayaNAn

PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or
PAMANA is the national government’s
convergence program that extends
development interventions to isolated,
hard-to-reach and conflict-affected
communities, ensuring that they are not
left behind.
A complementary track to peace
negotiations, the program is anchored
on the Aquino administration’s strategy
of winning the peace by forging strategic
partnerships with national agencies
in promoting convergent delivery of
goods and services, and addressing
regional development challenges in
conflict-affected and vulnerable areas
(CAAs/CVAs). The design and delivery
of PAMANA is conflict-sensitive and
peace-promoting (CSPP) to avoid the
recurrence of any source of conflict.
www.pamana.net

P A M A N A
PAyapa at MAsaganang pamayaNAn

Editor’s
Note

Table of
Contents

6

INTRODUCTION
What is PAMANA?
PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that extends
development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are
not left behind.
A complementary track to peace negotiations, the program is anchored on the Aquino administration’s strategy
of winning the peace by forging strategic partnerships with national agencies in promoting convergent delivery
of goods and services, and addressing regional development challenges in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas
(CAAs/CVAs). The design and delivery of PAMANA is conflict-sensitive and peace-promoting (CSPP) to avoid the
recurrence of any source of conflict.
What are the strategic pillars of PAMANA?
PAMANA aims to extend development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach, conflict-affected communities to
ensure that they are not left behind. With a number of national line agencies as implementing partners, PAMANA
remains as the government’s flagship program for conflict-vulnerable and –affected areas in the country—covering
all existing peace tables and agreements.
7

MESSAGE FROM PARTNERS
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endandu ciundendia volo occatat quaerionet, saeped maionsequam, ulpa sum quos autem idelique eos res
consequas parum, core porro et dolupta numqui quodica tiatus sandi doluptatio oditia dollorporio. Pa eaquis ne
od ullaborit labor aut eat laut quidicium volorro vollia que resequo bla sunt ipis magnat. Upta niscid qui rerum
susae. Ihillan digniet delluptatem que vent et laut ressusamus. Ehendae pudanisinum qui conempostin ra pratum
voloriberum ra debita consequia doloribus auditium eic tem lam fuga. Bis nihicil loreperrum d.
Ga. Et autOtatus. Rovit, si di dolo eos ipis aute nos estiberum re et alibus. Natis conecustet apiciat liquas dusant
endandu ciundendia volo occatat quaerionet, saeped maionsequam, ulpa sum quos autem idelique eos res
consequas parum, core porro et dolupta numqui quodica tiatus sandi doluptatio oditia dollorporio. Pa eaquis ne
od ullaborit labor aut eat laut quidicium volorro vollia que resequo bla sunt ipis magnat. Upta niscid qui rerum
susae. Ihillan digniet delluptatem que vent et laut ressusamus. Ehendae pudanisinum qui conempostin ra pratum
voloriberum ra debita consequia doloribus auditium eic tem lam fuga. Bis nihicil loreperrum d.
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arume autem hiliqui adi volorestius. Unt debit que res vitinve nistruntia nim volore plit, consequos eos et as aspere
voluptat parunto tem faceror ectemolupid modi nobitibuscia que quassint od minveligent as et litae natem resectae
nest, ommodit a solorro rrorpore porum faccabo rerchiciunto eatia quias reption nosa volorectur? Aximusdant
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hita que rent voluptas expel esedis dolupta erumqui ute conse natur, omnissedit, ute ventinv elendus eos peritiam
veni nobis ulpariant a volor andiosam, imus et, comnis moluptae quundi blatiunt vellam doles et offictibus vit ium
ea qui inus es exceris soluptatem et fuga. Litatur? Everibus dolupis dolorios es duntio consed quid expelec uptation
eium fuga. Cullab is maxim fugiam, corepedio volores simus, custrumet volutati quodis et quide anihit volorro
rerchicae laut venihil moluptamus excere consequatur asim enis et quas arum nus ex etur, suntota quiae imolor
aliatur? Qui utam ex evendit ditaerferum hiciis est, aute ne non corpore cepudiatur sed quam as ma conet lam,
exerovid quaspedipic torernatiae ate cusandis dolut que nobist, si aceptia porro magnat.
Ga. Et autOtatus. Rovit, si di dolo eos ipis aute nos estiberum re et alibus. Natis conecustet apiciat liquas dusant
endandu ciundendia volo occatat quaerionet, saeped maionsequam, ulpa sum quos autem idelique eos res
consequas parum, core porro et dolupta numqui quodica tiatus sandi doluptatio oditia dollorporio.
8

9

10

P A M A N A
STORIES
11

12

CORDILLERA
ADMINISTRATIVE
REGION
13

14

15

16

BICOL-QUEZON
-MINDORO
17

18

The
Bridge that
Occassionally
Falls
MOBO, MASBATE
19

PAMANA STORIES
THE BRIDGE THAT
OCCASSIONALLY FALLS
In 2007, Abello Frias nearly lost his life while crossing a dilapidated wooden bridge. He was on his way home
with his wife and two kids when the multicab they were in almost fell into a cliff that could have compromised
the family’s lives.
“Kasi po noong tumagilid ang tulay, bumaba kami lahat. Nu’ng nadulas yung multicab, bumaba kami lahat.
Pero ‘tinulak po namin yung multicab para pati yung driver makaligtas. ”
Unfortunately, Abello’s experience was not an isolated case. This traumatic event also happened to some of
his neighbors.
Abello blamed it on their make-shift bridge -- made of weak coco lumber, and deteriorating due to changing
weather. He knew that it has to be replaced for the sake of the communities in danger.
“Apat po kaming barangay ang nagagalit sa gobyerno noong wala pang tulay (na maayos). Ang buhay namin
nakataya diyan.”
The four (4) barangays that depended on the bridge were Barangays Natunduan, Brgy. Lunungkatungdan,
Brgy. Pabrika, and Brgy Dacu where Abello resides.
Due to the frail state of the bridge, the residents could not transport heavy materials meant for building
concrete houses.
Even if they did get past the bridge, they still had to wade through the mud and flood that obstruct their way
due to high tide.
“Noong araw di ako naniniwala sa trabaho ng gobyerno, tapos ngayon biglang na-twist,” according to Abello.
With the help of PAMANA and KALAHI-CIDDS, Barangay Dacu was able to build a concrete bridge and an
elevated pathway, and Abello was the Chairman Volunteer tasked to monitor the said projects.
“Ako mismo, nakapag-konkreto na ng bahay. Dahil po ang materyales na ino-order namin sa Masbate,
nakaka-raan na po sa tulay.”
The infrastructure projects made Abello’s barangay, and the three other barangays, accessible to different
services, particularly in the field of ecotourism.
The beaches in the area now generate income for the residents. There is an increase in the demand for
transportation services, mainly for delivery of their fish products.
“Kaming lahat po dito sa apat na barangay nagpapasalamat kami sa PAMANA. Nang dahil sa inyo po, nasalba
namin ang aming [buhay]. Panatag na ang aming buhay.”
20

“
Noong araw di ako naniniwala sa
trabaho ng gobyerno, tapos ngayon
biglang na-twist.
Kaming lahat po dito sa apat na
barangay nagpapasalamat kami sa
PAMANA. Nang dahil sa inyo po,
nasalba namin ang aming [buhay].
Panatag na ang aming buhay.
”
21

The
Challenged
Volunteer
MAALO, SORSOGON
2

23

“
Natuto din kami noon na magkaroon ng
bayanihan. Kasi noon kahit walang pera,
tinatrabaho na namin yung dapat magawa.
24

PAMANA STORIES
THE CHALLENGED
VOLUNTEER
A concrete pathway-- it was Baranggay Maalo’s first project under PAMANA. But the money for labor came slow,
too slow for the baranggay. Sadly, the residents blamed it all on bookkeeper Mariflor Enorma.
“Kasi noong PAMANA 1, matagal na-grant yung (funds). Tapos yung trabaho namin halos nasa 95% na. Ang
naudlot doon is yung pagbayad sa labor. Nagkaron kami ng issue sa mga tao dahil hindi kami nakapagbayad ng
labor,” Mariflor said.
Money for a project under PAMANA comes in tranches. After the second tranche, the barangay decided to
continue the road using the excess cement and aggregates, even if they would not be paid immediately.
“Sabi nila papayag daw sila magtrabaho kahit wala pa raw yung bayad para hindi masayang yung semento.”
They all agreed to get paid on the third tranche.
“Kaso nung tumagal na, maraming issue silang sinabi sa akin. Naubusan na raw ng pera kaya walang madownload.
Ini-radyo pa nila kami.”
Best intentions gone sour, the townspeople even went as far as broadcasting it on the local radio. The fund for the
third tranche arrived on a Wednesday, while the issue went on air on a the following day.
“Masakit sa loob ko na ganoon ang sinasabi nila sa akin.”
The tension was resolved when the fund for the third tranche finally arrived. In the next two PAMANA cycles, the
people had a better understanding of the process.
“Natuto din kami noon na magkaroon ng bayanihan. Kasi noon kahit walang pera, tinatrabaho na namin yung
dapat magawa. Advance na palagi yung trabaho.”
Mariflor was a volunteer, but the accusing eyes of her neighbors was a burden she did not sign up for. Still, she
did her job.
“Hindi nalang ako nakinig ng mga sinasabi basta ang akin lang naman po pagdating ng panahon na may
pakinabang na ang ginawa ko para sa kapwa ko maiisip nila ang pakinabang ng isang tulad kong volunteer.”
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26

NEGROS-PANAY
27

28

29

30

SAMAR ISLANDS
31

Stairs by
the Clif f
MATUGUINAO, SAMAR
32

33

PAMANA STORIES
STAIRS BY THE CLIFF
Even before Ethel Elizalde was born, the people of Barangay Maduroto have been used to climb on improvised
stairs on the side of a cliff just to get to the river.
“Mahirap yung pag-akyat at pagbaba doon. Lalo na kung may karga-karga at lalo na yung mga bata.”
At 39, Ethel is a resident of Barangay Maduroto, Matuguinao, Samar for almost four decades now and the routine
had always been like that.
Every day, it takes her 15 minutes to walk from home to the river. It is easy for her to describe how important
the river is to their lives, “Lahat ng pangangailangan namin (nasa ilog).” It is where her family bathe, wash their
clothes, and the likes.
But as integral as the river is, it also poses occassional danger to their family.
“May nahuhulog na mga bata doon. Yung mga matatanda nahuhulog doon na may daladalang palanggana.”
Ethel recalled that around three years ago, an armed encounter in their area forced some kids to panic and run
towards the river.
“Minsan nga noong may mga putukan, doon na nagtatakbuhan yung mga bata galing ilog. Nahuhulog din doon
dahil bangin kasi yun.”
At some point, even the children who brave the cliff every day just to take a bath, felt discouraged to go to the river
anymore-- accounting to fewer kids attending school.
“Minsan di na pumapayag yung mga bata pumunta (sa ilog). Tinatamad na. Di na pumapasok ng school. Lalo
nang tinatamad pag walang tubig (Once in a while, the children refuse to go to school).”
Living with this problem her entire life, Ethel thought the government did not care for their community.
“Parang wala kaming nakikita dahil wala kasing pinagbago noon e. Mahirap talaga noon (We didn’t see any
changes in our lives).”
With the help of PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA), a pathway with a handrail, was built to keep
the residents safe when going to the river.
Now it’s easier for them attend to their daily needs, without having to worry the consequences of one small
misstep or one wrong slip that might cause their life.
“Nakikita na kasi namin ngayon na may pagbabago. Napakadali na ng pagbaba sa amin (We have seen the
changes, now our lives are better).”
34

“
Every day, it takes her
15 minutes to walk from
home to the river. It is
easy for her to describe
how important the river is
to their lives.
”
35

36

Night
Trips
BONIFACIO, NORTHERN SAMAR
37

“
When PAMANA
reached their
community, their first
project was to build
streetlights in the
baranggay. Marichu
was one of the
volunteers who helped
bring back the light to
their place.
”
38

PAMANA STORIES
NIGHT TRIPS
Albeit thinking years ahead, Marichu Maceriano still worries about her children’s future, particularly for their
safety when they go to high school.
“Tatlo na po yata ‘yung napatay sa daan namin,” she said.
The closest high school for Marichu’s children is unfortunately far from the baranggay where they live-- Barangay
Bonifacio. Her kids would have to walk a long path without streetlights.
“Noong wala pa pong streetlights dito sa barangay namin, pag alas-sais po, yung mga tao nasa loob na ng mga
bahay. Wala nang lumalabas.”
But not everybody had the comfort of staying home at night. Sometimes, when the high school students would
leave the school late, their parents would brave the dark just to ensure their children get home safe.
“Hindi mo alam baka may makasalubong kang tao na di mo kilala, kung ano na gawin sa ‘yo.”
When PAMANA reached their community, their first project was to build streetlights in the baranggay. Marichu
was one of the volunteers who helped bring back the light to their place.
“’Yung mga tao nakakalabas na pag gabi kasi wala na po silang kinakatakutan kasi maliwanag naman po yung
mga daan.”
Their baranggay tanod can now patrol the area more efficiently because of the streetlights. Even the sari-sari
stores stay open, after a long time, until nightfall.
“Sa mga tinda-tindahan medyo nakatulong din yun sa pamumuhay namin kasi dati alas-sais palang yung mga
tindahan sarado na. Ngayon sila hanggang alas-diyes, nagbukas pa sila. Kaya nakakadagdag income pa sila.”
Marichu has four children, with the eldest being in the fourth grade this year. Now, she does not have to worry
about risking their safety when going to their high school.
“Magiging maganda yung kinabukasan nila. ‘Tsaka magiging matahimik, ‘yung wala silang pinangambahang
takot.”
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40

DAVAO-COMVAL
- CARAGA
41

Rebel
Gone
Home
MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL
42

43

PAMANA STORIES
REBEL GONE HOME
At the young age of 13, Ronnie* joined the New People’s Army under the pretense of a false hope.
He had always wanted to be a soldier. Obviously, he never planned on ending up as a rebel. All he knew was he
needed to finish school first to be a soldier.
But his mother died in 1989, immediately followed by his father’s death in 1991. Only in his first grade, Ronnie
was already an orphan.
“So, tuluyan na pong dumilim ang inaasahan kong pangarap. Wala na po talaga akong pag-asa na magpatuloy ng
pagaaral. Yung mga magulang ko kasi nabubuhay lang sa pagsasaka.”
An organizer from the communist movement told Nicanor that they would sponsor his education for free to
persuade him to join the group.
“Sa pagkasabi niya na libre, natuwa po ako kasi sabi ko ito na yung daan para marating ko ang aking pangarap.
Hindi ko pa naisip na yung sinasabi nilang libre ay libre din po pag namatay ka dun sa loob.”
Albeit his best intentions for joining, Nicanor, then naïve and idealistic immersed himself to the ideals of the
armed wing of the communist party, eventually forgetting why he joined there in the first place.
“Noong mga panahong iyon nakalimutan na yung pangrap ko na magpatuloy ng pagaaral.”
He listened to lectures on the communist ideology, sang “progressive” songs, and became an echo of the
propaganda.
“Kahit pa naman sino mga bata, kahit pa naman mga binata pa, sa tagal ng pagdisipilina, sa tagal ng pag-ano mo
sa ideolohiya, mapaniwala mo talaga ang sarili mo, mismo ikaw magtiwala ka na ito na talaga yung tama.”
Rebel, Estranged Family Man
Ronnie married a civilian, thinking it would be easier to leave NPA if he was the only one deemed to be loyal to
the communist party. They started to raise a family, despite the circumstance.
Fatherhood reminded him of his failed dream to finish school, and worried his children’s education would suffer
the same fate.
“Kung sa pangarap ko man lang na makapagpatuloy ako ng pag-aaral, hindi ko narating. Pano pa kaya sa mga
anak ko? Ano ang mabigay ko na kinabukasan?”
Each year, rebels that are invisible under the radar of the government, are allowed to go home for five days. But
even with this little freedom, Nicanor knew it wasn’t enough.
4

45

“Alam naman po ng bawat isa yung limang araw sa isang taon ay kulang man po yun.”
“ Kahit na po
ilang taon ako
naging pasaway,
binigyan pa
rin ako ng
pagkakataon
ng pamahalaan
na baguhin ang
pagkakamali
na paningin at
maitama.
”
Even the birthdays of his family weren’t an exception. Giving simple gifts was a luxury their code didn’t allow them to
have.
“Sa rebolusyon walang birthday.”
Happy Homes
In 2013, Nicanor surrendered to the government, exhausted with his life in the NPA. An intelligence officer in the battalion
who sheltered him during his surrender presented an offer.
“Kaya nilapitan ako ng intelligence officer doon sa batallion at tinanong ako kung gusto ko bang magaral. Sabi ko sir kaya
nga nagkalintik lintik yung buhay ko kasi sinugal ko ang sarili ko para lang sana makapag-aral.”
He was invited to go to Happy Home, a government-run shelter in Davao Oriental for rebel returnees that was funded by
DILG-PAMANA.
The first of its kind, Happy Home was a brainchild of Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon. It provides rebel
returnees a shelter that would facilitate their transition to civilian life, offering them services that ranged from livelihood
training to education.
One of the services offered is the Alternative Learning System (ALS). This program gave Nicanor a second shot at his
dream to finish school.
According to the Department of Education, the ALS is a program that provides for individuals who did not have access
to formal education. They are given “the chance to have access to and complete basic education in a mode that fits their
distinct situations and needs.”
He said over 30 returnees joined him in the program. Some finished elementary before being part of NPA. Some got as
far as second year high school.
When asked for his educational attainment, Nicanor pretended to be a few years ahead.
“Ang nilagay ko po doon is grade 5 kahit na alam ko na grade 1 lang po ako. Baka sakali kung grade 5 i-enroll nya ako sa
grade 6.”
The personal information system, which required him to state his educational attainment, also included a set of questions
to determine his academic capacity.
Despite only reaching first grade, Ronnie’s test scores earned him a place in the secondary level of ALS.
He passed the national exam in 2014. A year later, Happy Home enrolled him in TESDA, where he took up the course in
welding.
He is currently undergoing a series of examinations and application processes to finally join the Armed Forces of the
Philippines.
Ronnie never expected the turn of events that brought him from the NPA to back, and now a chance to be part of AFP.
“Kahit na po ilang taon ako naging pasaway, binigyan pa rin ako ng pagkakataon ng pamahalaan na baguhin ang
pagkakamali na paningin at maitama.”
____________________________________
*His real name was changed for security reasons.
46

The Human
Cost of
Broken Roads
CANTILAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR
47

“ She says their
life is much
different
now. The
road makes
important
services
accessible to
them.
48

PAMANA STORIES
THE HUMAN COST OF
BROKEN ROADS
For nearly all her life in Barangay Lobo, Renita Conejo had grown used to finding her way along a rough road, with no lights at all to keep
her safe in the dark.
“Noon ang biyahe umaabot sa 5 hours,” she said, when asked to talked about going to the town.
The people of Barangay Lobo make crops of cassava, sweet potato, and corn. But they often spend more for the ride than what they earn for
profit.
“Kung magbebenta kami sa baba, hindi nagkakasiya yung benta sa pamasahe namin.”
It cost 100 pesos to go to town. A pack of rice would cost around 500 pesos while other products cost 15 pesos per kilo.
“Kahit nga yung asin mura lang pag binili pero mas mahal pa ang pamasahe namin kaysa sa presyo ng asin.”
But the problem they experience goes beyond what they could afford.
Human Cost
For people in need of medical attention, their health is compromised both from staying in local health center and in braving the broken
road to reach a hospital. The road going to the town is rough and uneven, an uncomfortable ride even for perfectly healthy individuals,
which is more unsettling for pregnant women. She tells the story of her pregnant auntie who had to overcome odds just to deliver her baby
safely. After three days of labor, her auntie decided to take her chances, riding on the side seat of a habal-habal. A habal-habal is a two-wheel
motorcycle with improvised seats on each side.
“Umupo yung tiyahin ko sa siding ng motor, tatlong araw na siya naglalabor doon sa amin. Noong nadala lang sa ospital, malapit nang
mamatay. Hindi na umabot.”
Renita’s grandfather suffered the same fate. His grandfather, however, decided to stay, despite being terribly ill.
“Noon yung lolo ko sinabi sa amin na wag na lang siyang isakay sa motor. Wag na siyang dalhin sa ospital kasi sa daanan lang din siya
mamatay dahil sa hirap ng daan. Doon na lang siya namatay [sa amin].”
PAMANA
With the help of PAMANA, a farm to market road is being constructed in Barangay Lobo. Renita says that it has greatly reduced the time
spent commuting.
“Ngayon 1 hour na lang mula sa kampilan ng sundalo hanggang sa Barangay Lobo.”
Since power shortage was also a problem in their community, each is awarded with a solar panel to light up their home. The school in
their community even has a solar panel large enough to power a television for the children’s education. She says this has also helped them
communicate with each other as it allowed them to charge their phones.
“Ngayon na may ilaw na, ang galing na talaga.Nararanasan na namin ang buhay na katulad ng nasa munisipyo sa bayan.”
She says their life is much different now. The road makes important services accessible to them.
“Iba na talaga ang nararanasan namin. Noon parang nawalan na kami ng pag-asa. Akala namin hindi na kami uunlad.”
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50

CENTRAL
MINDANAO
51

52

Old School
TANGCLAO, LANAO DEL NORTE
53

PAMANA STORIES
OLD SCHOOL
Nailiya Nasroden, on her prime years in elementary, hiked for an hour every day to get to school.
“Yung road doon lubak-lubak. Pag umuulan masyadong madulas, pag mainit naman hindi nila kaya yung init.”
She did this routine for two years until, one day, she decided to just study at home instead.
“Parang yung mga teachers namin hindi kami masyado binibigyan ng attention kasi parang pagdating nila
pagod sila kasi nga yun nga nagha-hike dahil sa daan. Kami rin pagod kami. So instead na magaral kami parang
nagrerelax lang, so ayun tinatamad kami, nawawala yung interes, yung motivation.”
Along with her cousins, Nailiya didn’t go to school for three straight days. Then she talked to her parents, “Sabi
nila since parang wala kayong mapapala dito kung dito kayo mag-elementary. So naisipan nilang palipatin kami.”
It was a difficult decision for Nailiya.
“Parang mas madali matuto doon. Kilala mo na yung mga tao doon. Parang yun nga parang sanay na ako sa aura
ng place namin.”
It pitted familiarity against convenience, but at some point she would eventually feel school days less of a burden.
“Parang may side sa akin na masaya kasi di na totally mahirap yung lalakarin ko everyday. Meron ding side sa
akin na malungkot kasi nga mas gusto [ko] doon na sana kaso mahirap kasi.”
Visiting her hometown, she noticed how much has changed.
“Parang since naayos na yung daan, mas dumami yung students doon. Mas dumami yung students nila. Mas namotivate
yung mga students mag-aral kasi madali na yung daan e. Hindi na mahirap katulad ng dati.”
With the help of PAMANA, students and teachers alike need not to hike to reach the school anymore.
Nailiya will soon start her first year in college, pursuing a major in education to pursue her dream of teaching in
her hometown.
54

“
With the help of PAMANA, students and teachers alike
need not to hike to reach the school anymore.
”
55

Travel
Time
MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE
56

57

PAMANA STORIES
TRAVEL TIME
It took Nasser nearly eight hours to transfer his harvest of corn and copra to a market in Barangay Linamon.
“Pag [alis] namin sa Mamula ng alas otso, dating namin ng Linamon mga hapon, mga alas kwatro,” he said.
Sometimes, he would sleep in a relative’s home because the roundtrip is too long. In other occasions, he would
brave the road and would get home before dawn.
“Minsan pagbalik namin sa bahay mga alas-kwatro ng umaga.”
But his fatigue was often just for a naught as his earned profit is drained because of transportation dues.
“Pag makabenta kami ng 7,000 [pesos], ang matitira sa amin 1,000 [pesos]. ‘Yan ang pinakaswerte.”
Daily living depended mostly on the mercy of their luck every harvest season. Transportation costs Php 1.50 per
kilo, sometimes even reaching as much as Php 2.
On an average, he would bring 1,500 kilos to 2,000 kilos of corn. For the truck to carry his products, he would
have to pay over Php1,000 to make ends meet.
“Minsan kung walang swerte, walang matitira. Kung konti lang nakuha sa mais, mas mahal yung fertilizer, [pati
yung] abono.”
Life was difficult even in matters outside of the farm.
“Medyo hindi kami masaya. ‘Pag gusto namin may pupuntahan, pag-iisipan pa. Kasi alam namin ang mangyayari
diyan, mahihirapan kami.”
With the help of PAMANA, a farm-to-market road evidently reduced travel time and expenses for Nasser.
At present, it only takes them 40 minutes to get to Linamon compared to his usual eight-hour travel.
The cost per kilo has also stablized to just one peso, making room for more profit to grow.
“Ngayon pag mais, halimbawa makabenta kami ng mga 10, 000 [pesos], may natitira nang minsan na 4,000 o
3,000 [pesos] plus. Tumaas yung natitira sa amin.”
A lot has changed since PAMANA arrived in their community. With better road comes better access to important
social services.
“Kung wala yan, mahirap ang buhay namin dito sa Punong Poonapieyopo.”
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Beyond
Halfway
ISULAN, SULTAN KUDARAT
61

PAMANA STORIES
BEYOND HALFWAY
Whenever it rains hard in Baranggay Lagandang, Sultan Kudarat, a flashflood rolls down from the mountain,
obstructing the road with wooden debris and render the road difficult to pass.
“Mahirap kasi tuwing umuulan ay nagkakaroon ng flash flood. Hindi kami makadaan dahil sa lakas ng ulan at ng
baha doon. Natutumba ang mga kahoy kaya hindi lang farmers, pati rin yung mga mamayan doon sa baranggay
ay apektado ng flashflood.”
According to Anwar Sailila, it normally costs around 50 pesos to transport one sack of rice with a ¬habal-habal
(hired motorcycle) from their baranggay to the market. But when it rains, the price doubles.
“Kapag sira ang daan dahil sa baha, hindi pumapayag ang mga habal-habal na 50 pesos lang ang bayad. Mahirap
naman talaga. Hindi rin nila nadadala ang marami. Dalawang sako yung iba, [minsan] isang sako lang.”
From there, they would travel to Isulan, a municipality in Sultan Kudarat, to look for a trader that would buy their
products. But by then, their crops would have suffered beating from the ride, making it difficult to settle with a
decent price.
“Hindi mo alam kung saan ibebenta ng maganda ang produkto,” Sailila said. “Dati kasi noong minsan ang habalhabal,
pinagpatong-patong nila yung mga produkto.”
With the help of PAMANA, a farm-to-market road was developed in their community to help ease the transport
of their harvest. As of this writing, the construction is still ongoing, but the residents already benefit from the
widened road.
The price of transportation has reduced greatly, costing around 40 pesos for either sack or person.
Even better for the farmers, transporting their goods themselves in search for dealers is no longer necessary.
“Yung mga negosyante sa Isulan, ngayon sila na ang pumapasok sa barangay para mag buy-and-sell,” Sailila said
and added, “Nakabawas ng hassle yun para sa mga residenteng nagne-negosyo sa baranggay kasi hindi na sila
mamamasahe palabas ng baranggay para sa produkto.”
To make the most out of the available harvest, the dealers even offer a higher price.
“Noon kami yung naghihirap. Sasakay ka pa ng malayo tapos iba-iba pa yung presyo nila. Ngayon baliktad na.
Ngayon sila na ang nagcacanvass sa amin.”
Baranggay Lagandang is a Peace and Development Community and a former MNLF base that is mow committed
to lasting peace in accordance with the 1996 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement.
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ZAMBA
SULTA
65

Waterworks
TALUSAN, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
6

PAMANA STORIES
WATERWORKS
When Orlando Temporanda’s daughter was seven, she told Orlando that she might not finish school anymore.
“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Tay baka di na ako makaabot ng high school o pati sa college’. Sabi ko bakit ‘man. Sabi niya
mahirap ngayon kasi malayo tubig sa ating bahay. Magskwela siya pero ma-late pa raw siya.”
Around 100 kilometers stand between the nearest water source and Barangay Kawilan, where Orlando and his
family lives.
Shared among an entire community, there are four deep wells given by DPWH and six open wells made by the
residents themselves.
Riding on a carabao, Orlando would put basins in a cart to fetch water in the wells. Travel time for this errand can
take as long as an hour.
“Doon kami maligo. Doon maglaba. Doon mag-inom. Kaya ang problema namin hindi safe ang tubig namin kasi
open ‘man yun. Baka meron mangitlog na mga lamok tapos magkasakit ‘yung mga bata.”
Maris Temporada, his daughter, would often go to school late from waiting for her turn at the well with the whole
barangay.
“Nagdala lang ng tubig isakay namin sa kalabaw. Yung limang galon, pag nandun sa bahay, yun ang aming
ipapainom sa baboy, sa manok, o pati sa baka.”
With the help of PAMANA, a water tank was built within the community. Making the source of water more
accessible for Orlando and his neighbors.
“Ngayon sir malapit na sa amin (‘yung water system). Source namin nandoon sa barangay hall. Sa barangay site
yung tanke namin.”
Through hard work and persistence, his daughter finished high school and now on her third year in college,
taking up a degree on Agribusiness.
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BUSINESS STALLS IN
ZAMBOANGA ZIBUGAY
Edit ipsaestio occab ime min cus milique net quam,
coremquas et fuga. Ut el ipsunt. Apic te veriberovid
maximus aliquae sandae omnis ditiori busandel id
quatae. Sin con preribus aut volumque pa cor sequis
et estis nobiscipsa volest, cusant modi occaboria quiat
fuga. Ut moluptat. Ut reprae nam nem voluptatatis adi
officiis arum adisciet aditaqu odicipsunt.
Tionsequi to et qui odites explandis ma quia volores
ciaecae pori dit, cusa quas dem voluptatio. As sitatur
aut odiores quae. Itatempores ipsumquodit quiam
voluptatur, sequi
68

PEACE CENTER CONVERED COURT IN ZAMBOANGA ZIBUGAY
Edit ipsaestio occab ime min cus milique net quam, coremquas et fuga. Ut el ipsunt. Apic te veriberovid maximus aliquae sandae omnis ditiori
busandel id quatae. Sin con preribus aut volumque pa cor sequis et estis nobiscipsa volest, cusant modi occaboria quiat fuga. Ut moluptat. Ut
reprae nam nem voluptatatis adi officiis arum adisciet aditaqu odicipsunt.
Tionsequi to et qui odites explandis ma quia volores ciaecae pori dit, cusa quas dem voluptatio. As sitatur aut odiores quae. Itatempores
ipsumquodit quiam voluptatur, sequi
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Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process or OPAPP is the office
mandated to oversee, coordinate, and integrate the implementation of the
comprehensive peace process. The agency was created through executive order no. 125,
s. 1993 which was later amended in 2001 with the signing of executive order no. 3, s. 2001
as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to achieving just and lasting peace
through a comprehensive peace process.
PARTNERS
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