BUTUAN CITY - In an effort to help the countryside folks, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) had already released some P25 million in Mindanao to affiliate non-government organizations undertaking capability-building initiatives, it was learned Monday. The release of the amount is purposely to help improve livelihood opportunities for the poorest sectors in the southern island, it was also learned. The PEF project is intended to empower communities that have basic needs in life - food, health, education, shelter, and water, said PEF Director Veronica Villavicencio. Also to engage in socio-cultural and economic activities, and participate meaningfully in local governance in an atmosphere of social harmony, cooperation, and sharing, added Villavicencio.
It was gathered that the PEF funded several livelihood and employment programs in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. The PEF also funded other programs benefiting villagers in Compostela Valley, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, General Santos City, Lanao del Norte, Saranggani, Davao del Norte, and Maguindanao. PEF administers an endowment fund from the net proceeds of the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (Peace) Bonds developed and sold on the capital market by CODE-NGO. Also, in Davao del Sur, PEF poured some P90 million for the Bansalan Cooperative Society for use of its dairy goat development project and other researches.
