MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Seventy people’s organizations (POs) representing seven
Indigenous tribes in Bukidnon are set to receive P300,000 each in livelihood seed capital under
the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) PAMANA LGU Livelihood
Program.

The program was formally launched at the Kaamulan Theater here, with government officials
and representatives of beneficiary organizations attending the rollout.
Bukidnon Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Datu Makayuba, also known
as Renato Sumbongan, said the 70 POs were selected from seven tribes in the province.
He urged the groups to manage the grants carefully and invest the funds in livelihood projects
that can generate sustainable income for their members.
Among the beneficiaries is a PO in Barangay Linabo, Quezon, whose tribal chieftain, Datu B.
Mandanuay, said 14 POs in the municipality are scheduled to receive their checks on Aug. 27.
Mandanuay said his group plans to use the P300,000 grant to buy a Bongo-type utility vehicle
that will transport members’ farm harvests to the Quezon town center.
He said the assistance would also help the group generate income that could support the
education of their children.
Other POs in Quezon have chosen livelihood projects such as the operation of a rice mill, or
“seleran,” Mandanuay said.
Meanwhile, nine POs in Malaybalay City received their checks during a ceremonial turnover on
Aug. 26.
As of the latest update, P10.2 million in livelihood seed capital has been released to beneficiary
POs in Bukidnon, including 12 groups in Valencia City, nine in Pangantucan, 10 in Impasug-ong,
and one each in Kibawe, San Fernando and Baungon.

The remaining 33 POs in the province are expected to receive their seed capital in the coming
days.
Miramel G. Laxa, director IV and national program manager of the Peace and Development
Buong Bansa Mapayapa-National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO), said the
beneficiary organizations underwent financial management training before receiving the
assistance.
Laxa said the DSWD will assess the groups three months after the release of the funds to
determine whether their livelihood projects are progressing.
Successful organizations may qualify for an additional P300,000 in assistance, while groups
whose projects fail to meet the program’s objectives will not receive further funding, she said.
The PAMANA livelihood initiative is being implemented under the DSWD’s Peace and
Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM), a flagship national program that seeks to
promote inclusive and sustainable peace through social welfare and development interventions.
The PDBBM supports former rebels, combatants and communities affected by conflict in their
transition toward peaceful and productive civilian lives.
The program forms part of the government’s whole-of-nation approach to peace, reconciliation
and national unity, with interventions designed to strengthen communities, promote
empowerment and address conditions that contribute to conflict.
In Bukidnon, officials said the livelihood grants are intended to help Indigenous and conflict-
affected communities establish sustainable sources of income while strengthening their capacity
for self-reliance. (Sean G. Sulugan/Contributor)