OPAPP, IOM - Pamana 2017 Empowered Sulu community

Jolo, Sulu – The Pamana 2017 empowered communities by giving them a way to transform their living conditions  more particularly those whose lives directly  in affected or  war- torn areas  and other atrocities  made by some armed groups.

The 250 individuals coming from different municipalities of Sulu are fully equipped and ready to face the world of biases and favoritism after  they  receives  trainings  and seminars of TESDA with  the collaboration of  International  Organization for Migration (IOM) and Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP)  through the Implementation of PAMANA 2017

The newly graduates  or  beneficiaries has successfully completed their chosen courses under the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program of TESDA  and  individually receives their  starter tool kits in order to start their own business and to earned money for their family.

Amra S. Bamra, 50 year old from Jolo said, before she is just only a wife covered by his husband and brought no income to their family, but because of this opportunity given by PAMANA 2017, she is now ready to assists her husband to generate income and she now equally partner for their family. “ I am proud to finished my trainings here in Pamana because I am empowered now and have a chance to help my family”, she added.

She finished his cookery training, and she planning  to open a little café or food store near her house.

The  OPAPP Pamana 2017 is designed  to helped indigent communities or war affected areas. They conducted livelihood  trainings and seminars to empowered communities and to boost  the living condition of the people.

Pamana means  "Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan" is a national government program and framework for peace and development. They improve governance, reduce poverty and empower the communities.

Ms Rahima Alba, National Project Coordinator of International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, she is very happy because this is another milestone to help and  empowered people and to open more opportunities to the people here in Sulu. "It is my pleasure to help them", she added.

She look-forward that these newly skilled graduates will transform and productive individuals  sooner or later as well as a productive community. (By Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)