The municipality of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro has been named the outstanding PAMANA program implementer in Luzon for fiscal year 2024, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) announced.

The recognition went to the municipality led by Mayor Ferdinand M. Maliwanag, Vice Mayor Joel Maliwanag, and the Sangguniang Bayan for their implementation of the government’s flagship peace and development programs.

Mansalay’s recognition validates the effectiveness of sustained government investment in local peace and development programs.

The municipality now serves as a model for other LGUs implementing similar programs.

PAMANA, or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, targets conflict-affected and isolated areas in the country.

The program delivers basic services and infrastructure to areas that have been left behind by mainstream development efforts.

Launched in 2011, PAMANA operates as a convergence program bringing together national agencies, local governments, and civil society groups.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DPWH) leads implementation with support from various partners.

OPAPRU evaluates participating municipalities based on their effectiveness in bringing peace and development interventions to vulnerable barangays.

The award system recognizes various peace champions and stakeholders who contribute to conflict resolution and community development.

Local government units compete based on measurable outcomes in their assigned conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.

The national government allocated P1.4 billion for PAMANA community development projects this year, with an additional P4 billion committed for expanded programming.

These investments support infrastructure, livelihood, and social services in conflict-affected barangays.