08/09/2026
𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐔-𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐉𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐒
The Provincial Government of Davao Occidental, under the leadership of Provincial Governor Atty. Franklin P. Bautista and Vice Governor Hon. Lorna Bautista-Bandigan, through the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) headed by Ms. Nally S. Bangoy, R.Agr., PhD, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), successfully conducted the awarding and distribution of agricultural livelihood inputs to identified beneficiaries under the OPAPRU-PAMANA Project entitled “Building Peace and Prosperity Through Integrated Rice, Corn, Livestock and Poultry Livelihood Support for Friends Rescued and People’s Organizations in Davao Occidental” in the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos, Province of Davao Occidental.
The activity was conducted on September 8, 2026, at the JASCES Covered Court, Barangay Caburan Small, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, and was participated in by identified Friends Rescued (FRs) from the barangays of Culaman, Caburan Small, Marabatuan, Cayaponga, Malalan, Tanuman, Kalbay, Butuan, Sugal, and Molmol.
The program formally opened with the opening remarks of Mr. David IV T. Lachica, Project Development Officer III of PAGRO and OPAPRU-PAMANA Project Focal Person, who highlighted the objectives of the project and the importance of providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to the identified beneficiaries.
This was followed by the message of Atty. Geoffrey Navarra, representative of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Legal Officer, Provincial Development Council (PDC) and ELCAC Focal Person, who provided the rationale of the activity and an inspirational message to the beneficiaries. He emphasized the commitment of the Provincial Government to supporting initiatives that promote peace, development, livelihood sustainability, and community empowerment.
Representing the Municipal Government of Jose Abad Santos, headed by Mayor Atty. Jason John A. Joyce, MPA, Municipal Kagawad Ermelita Malaki, conveyed a message of support and commitment to the beneficiaries and the continuing implementation of peace and development initiatives in the municipality.
The activity also featured a Message of Commitment from a representative of the Friends Rescued (FRs) beneficiaries, who expressed their appreciation for the assistance provided and their commitment to responsibly utilize the livelihood inputs to improve their agricultural and livelihood activities.
Meanwhile, partner agencies conveyed their respective messages of support and commitment, reaffirming their continued cooperation and active participation in the implementation of the project and in advancing sustainable livelihood, peacebuilding, and community development initiatives in the beneficiary communities.
Among the partner agencies represented during the activity were the following:
•73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB) – under the leadership of Lt. Col. Julius V. Taniza, IND (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander, represented by Maj. Erick Wynmer F. Calulot (INF) PA, Battalion Executive Officer;
•Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) – represented by Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Bryan Paano, DVM ;
•Municipal Agriculture Office of Jose Abad Santos (MAO-JAS) – represented by Acting Municipal Agriculturist Jerusha Amil, RAgr., MPA.
The program concluded with the closing remarks of Ms. Nally S. Bangoy, RAgr., PhD, Provincial Agriculturist of Davao Occidental, who emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation among government agencies, local government units, and beneficiary communities in ensuring the success and sustainability of the project.
The livelihood packages awarded to the beneficiaries consisted of various agricultural, poultry, and livestock livelihood packages, including free-range chickens, goats, tahop, corn seeds, rice seeds, complete fertilizer, nursery kits, garden rakes, sprinklers, knapsack sprayers, gloves, boots, and bolos. These inputs are intended to assist the beneficiaries in establishing, expanding, and strengthening their agricultural, livestock, and poultry-based livelihood activities.
The activity forms part of the continuing implementation of the OPAPRU-PAMANA Project, which seeks to provide sustainable agricultural livelihood assistance to identified beneficiaries, strengthen food security, improve household income, promote self-reliance, and contribute to peacebuilding and community development in beneficiary areas.
The successful awarding and distribution of the livelihood packages were made possible through the close coordination and support of the Provincial Government of Davao Occidental, PAGRO, OPAPRU, Provincial Legal Office (PLO), Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET), Provincial Engineer’s Office, 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), Municipal Government of Jose Abad Santos, Municipal Agriculture Office, and other partner agencies and community stakeholders. Their collective efforts provided the necessary technical, logistical, and operational support, particularly in the handling, transport, and distribution of the agricultural and livestock inputs.
The activity further demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration and multi-sectoral partnerships in advancing peace and development initiatives. Through the convergence of government institutions, local government units, security sector partners, and beneficiary communities, the project continues to create opportunities for productive engagement and sustainable livelihood development.
The awarding activity marks another significant milestone in the implementation of the OPAPRU-PAMANA Project in Davao Occidental. It reflects the continuing commitment of the provincial government and its partner agencies to provide productive resources and livelihood opportunities to Friends Rescued and other identified beneficiaries, particularly in communities where peacebuilding and socioeconomic development remain essential.
