The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to Php 57.120 million for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), specifically for the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). This funding will support the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program's Educational Assistance Program (EAP).
The PAMANA program focuses on promoting peace and progress in conflict-affected areas through various social and economic initiatives. This particular DBM allocation will directly target the EAP, aiming to uplift Indigenous communities by ensuring their students have access to quality education and improved opportunities for a brighter future.
"This release aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to inclusivity and equitable development, embodied in the Bagong Pilipinas initiative," the DBM stated.
The initiative highlights the importance of ensuring that all Filipinos, especially those in marginalized sectors, have access to resources and opportunities that will empower them and contribute to national progress.