The barangays are Poblacion, Tangclao, Piangamangaan, Pantaon and Kablangan.
The project aims to mitigate the effects of armed conflict and to institutionalize peace and development in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte.
“To ensure sustainability of the project operation, all the interventions shall be integrated in the barangay development program through the management of the barangay development councils which shall also receive assistance for their capability enhancement,” Regina Antequisa, executive director of Ecosystem Works for Essential Benefits Inc. (Ecoweb), said.
Antequisa said the project addresses the debilitating effects of armed conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government forces in 2003 suffered by more than 32,000 individuals or more than 6,500 families in the two Lanao provinces.
Affected were 67% children, 21% women and the rest, men.
The barangay projects are also being done in partnership with the Reconciliatory Initiatives for development Opportunities, Inc. (RIDO) and the Municipal
Government of Poona Piagapo and is supported by Caritas Australia.
Antequisa said Ecoweb is also implementing a one-year project on good governance in Kolambugan town, also in Lanao del Norte, “to empower barangay development councils in managing peace and development processes at the local level. This is in partnership with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and will benefit the barangays of Poblacion, Riverside, Libertad, Rebucon and Baybay.
“This mainly constitutes capability-building training of barangay officials and partner barangay-based civil society organizations (CSOs) on socio-economic situation analysis and peace and development planning.
A technical assistance for a Natural Resource Management Development Project, funded by the Volunteer Service Organization, is also piloted in Kolambugan.
“We are also currently facilitating a public-private partnership between the GTZ and private company to develop the coconut industry of the municipality,” Antequisa said.