DSWD turns over 2 tribal centers in AgSur town
BUTUAN
CITY, May 17 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field
Office Caraga has officially turned over two tribal centers, which are
subprojects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), Payapa at Masaganang
Pamayanan (PAMANA) Indigenous Peoples-Community-Driven Development (IP-CDD) program
Cycle 2, to the Manobo tribal communities of Barangay Sta. Cruz and Barangay
Maligaya in Rosario town of Agusan del Sur.
The
turnover ceremonies in Barangay Maligaya and Barangay Sta. Cruz were held on
May 11 and April 29, 2021, respectively.
In Barangay
Sta. Cruz, the 89 square-meter Himunanan Tu Tribu (tribal center), which cost
Php2,856,924.00, has two restrooms, an office, and a small kitchen. It is
complete with a rainwater collector, split-type inverter air conditioning unit,
Wi-Fi, three wall fans, a water dispenser, two office tables, fire
extinguishers, and 50 monoblock chairs.
The
building amenities are in-kind counterparts from the local government unit
(LGU) of Sta. Cruz. The facility is built not just for the Manobo tribal
community but including the non-Indigenous Peoples in the barangay.
The
project, which was completed on December 12, 2020, is expected to serve 206
household beneficiaries in the said barangay.
Hawudon
Gawahon Emeliano Pugosa, Sta. Cruz Community Sub-Project Management Committee
chairperson, said that the IPs have a huge role in nation-building, adding that
many IPs join the leftist movement due to lack of government projects or
services in the far-flung tribal communities.
"Dako ang role sa tribu sa community. Ang atong nasud hinay ang pag-usad
sa ekonomiya tungod sa insurgency. Almost 70% tribu ang nabiktima, tungod kay
ang tribu is a vulnerable sector sa atong society, tungod kay usahay dili
maabot ang serbisyo sa goberno sa pinaka ubos ug layo nga lugar sa komunidad. Mapasalamot
mi nga gihatagan kahigayunan, pinakusgan sa atong Presidente Duterte ang ELCAC
(The tribal community has a huge role. Our country experiences slow economic
growth due to insurgency. Almost 70 percent of the IPs, which is a vulnerable
sector in our society, [fell victim to the communist ideology] as the
government's projects and services could not reach the remote areas in the
country. We are thankful that we were given a chance through President
Duterte's strong push for ELCAC),” Pugosa said.
The
country is experiencing over 50 years of communist insurgency and is now
doubling its effort to combat and quash the rebellion through the
“whole-of-nation” approach by the National Task Force to End Local Communists
Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
DSWD Caraga
PAMANA IP-CDD focal person Annabella Madelo, during the turnover ceremony last
April 29, said that the project was completed because of the cooperation and
unity of the community as well as the contribution of the LGU.
"Kabalo
ko nga dili ni ma ingani ang hitsura kung wala ang pagtinabangay sa tanan
stakeholders nga nagpuyo dri sa Sta. Cruz ug sa municipality sa Rosario. Karun
pa ko kakita og usa nga building nga gi-implementar namo sa KALAHI-CIDSS nga
adunay aircon ug fully-furnished. Sa among gihatag nga plan, gipasobrahan pa
gyud pinaagi sa in-kind nga counterpart sa munisipyo ug sa barangay.
Gi-acknowledge na sa Departamento (This building won’t be completed without the
cooperation of all the stakeholders in Barangay Sta. Cruz. Since I started in
DSWD, it is only now that I saw a building of KALAHI-CIDSS that has an air
conditioning unit and is fully-furnished. The Department acknowledges the fact
that the LGU has even given more than what was in the plan for the
project)," Madelo said.
"On
behalf of our OIC-Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen, gipaabot namo among
mainiton nga congratulations sa katawhan sa Barangay Sta. Cruz ug mainiton nga
pasalamat sa LGU sa Rosario, ug sa suporta sa tribung Manobo (we would like to
extend our warmest congratulations to the residents of Barangay Sta. Cruz as
well as our warmest gratitude to LGU of Rosario and the support of the Manobo
tribe)," she added.
"Ang
kaning subproject pakapin lang kini sa atong proseso. Sa KALAHI-CIDSS, ang
giimplemtar gyud namo sa ang proseso nga CDD (Community-Driven Development).
Kung mo-ingun gani ta CDD, ang komunidad ang modesisyon kung unsa gusto nila
nga kalambuan ug kung unsaon nila pagamit sa pondo nga gihatag sa OPAPP
pina-agi sa DSWD (This subproject is just a bonus. In KALAHI-CIDSS, what we
really implement is the CDD process. When we say CDD, it is the community who
decides what development they want and on how to use the fund given by OPAPP
through the DSWD)," Madelo further elaborated.
In the
mountain barangay of Maligaya, an 89 sq.m. tribal center was also turned over,
complete with two restrooms, an office, a small kitchen, a rainwater collector,
wall fans, and a water dispenser.
The
construction of the tribal center, which costs Php3.4 million, started on
September 11, 2020, and was completed on December 22, 2020. The subproject
targets to benefit 98 household beneficiaries in the area.
“Ang
proyekto dili sa DSWD. Ang proyekto nag-gikan sa inyo. Mao na nga ang kaakuhan
inyo gyud na nga ipadayon. Kay sayang proyekto nga nagkantidad og P2.6 million
kung dili maatiman (The project does not belong to DSWD, but to the people.
Thus, it is important for you to continue the responsibility of taking care of
the project so that Php2.6 million won’t just go to waste),” KALAHI-CIDSS
Deputy Regional Program Manager Ester V. Villamor told the Manobos in Barangay
Maligaya.
Rosario
Municipal officials were thankful to the government for the Himunanan Tu Tribu
and commit to taking care of the said tribal centers.
"Ang commitment nako ani isip amahan sa lungsod sa Rosario is pag-suporta
ra gyud. Kung unsa man na inyong gusto mahitabo sa inyo nga mga programa, 101%
suporta gyud mi (My commitment as mayor of Rosario is that I will support.
Whatever programs you will implement, I will 101 percent support," Rosario
Mayor Jupiter C. Abulog said during the turnover ceremony in Barangay Sta.
Cruz.
“Ang
ato local government, ang ato municipal mayor, kami sa legislative, andam gyud
kami mag-suporta kung unsa mga kakuwangon (The local government, the mayor, and
we at the legislative body are ready to support what will be needed for the
project),” Rosario Councilor Rex Fuentes said during the turnover ceremony in
Barangay Maligaya.
The
PAMANA, under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP), is the government’s framework for peace and development. It is
implemented in conflict-affected communities, as well as in areas covered by
existing peace agreements.
Meanwhile,
KALAHI-CIDSS falls under the second strategic pillar of the PAMANA framework,
which is building resilient communities. The project objective is to improve
the access of KALAHI-CIDSS areas classified as conflict-affected barangays
(CABs) to basic social services and responsive, transparent, and accountable
local governments. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
PCA distributes cash,
food vouchers to Bayugan coco farmers
BUTUAN
CITY, May 17 - The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Agusan del Sur personnel
conducted distribution of cash and food vouchers to 137 marginalized coconut
farmers from different barangays of Bayugan City held at the covered court of
Barangay Wawa, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on May 14, 2021.
Thru
the QR card voucher, each farmer received P3,000.00 cash and P2,000.00 worth of
rice, dressed chicken and fresh eggs. The food packs were delivered by Bayugan
Achievers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMPCO) in the venue.
The
cash and food assistance program aims to aid marginal farmers and fisherfolk
who were severely affected by the pandemic, provide market support to the local
rice and poultry industries, and support micro, small, and medium enterprises.
(DA-PCA Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
NPA political officer
killed in Surigao del Norte clash
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 17 -- A ranking cadre of Guerilla front 16 died in
an encounter with the government forces at the vicinity of Sitio Pingaping,
Barangay Motorpool, Tubod, Surigao del Norte on May 12.
The
encounter ensued between the operating troops of 30th Infantry (Fight On)
Battalion (30IB) and members of SYPC2, GF16 under Alberto Castaneda alias ‘JD’
when the soldiers responded to the report regarding the presence of the said
armed group in the area.
The
said firefight lasted for about 25 minutes and resulted to the death of
Christopher John Trugelio alias ‘Krokis/Ajet,’ a political instructor of
SYP16C2, Guerilla Front 16 and a resident of KM 10 Purok Rosal, Barangay
Quezon, Surigao City.
Seized
from the encounter site were one 9mm pistol, one improvised explosive, four
Baofeng VHF radios, assorted ammunition and magazines, personal belongings,
hammocks and subversive documents. No casualty was reported on the government
side while pursuit operation is still ongoing.
According
to Lt. Col. Charles Ryan G. Callanta, commanding officer of 30IB, they
immediately launched the operation when they received the information regarding
the whereabouts of the CTG.
Meanwhile,
Brigader General George L Banzon, commander of 901st Infantry (Fight’Em)
Brigade, expressed gratitude to the local residents who gave their full trust
and untiringly support the soldiers by giving timely information that led to
the successful operation.
“As we
always say, the information coming from the localities are very vital. The
outcome in the recent encounter clearly manifests that our soldier can promptly
act on the arising situation if the community will give their utmost
cooperation. Our main objective is to prevent this armed group from entering
the community and disrupting the lives of the people,” he said.
On the
other hand, Brig. Gen. Banzon expressed his condolences to the family of the
dead NPA rebel. He said that another life had gone to waste because of a
senseless armed struggle being waged by the CPP-NPA-NDF. He further said that
the use of violence in resolving societal issues will never be an option.
“The
use of violence will never resolve our problems and it will just make things
complicated. The recent encounter that led to the untimely demise of another
NPA may serve as a wake-up call for those CTG members who are still blinded by
the wrong ideology,” he said.
He likewise gave assurance that the operating troops will continue to be relentless in conducting security operations so that the communities will be safeguarded from the threat of the CTG who capitalizes violence to pursue their agenda. (901st Infantry Brigade, Phil. Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Authorities nab most wanted NPA officer in
SurSur town
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 17 (PIA) -- A New People’s Army (NPA) finance and
liaison officer listed as number 20 most wanted in the regional top priority
target was nabbed by the authorities through a warrant of arrest around 4:30
A.M., May 14, 2021, in Barangay Bayan, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Based
on the report, a joint composite team of the Regional Intelligence Unit 13,
Butuan City Police Office Intelligence Unit, Butuan City Mobile Force Company,
Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDS-PPO) Intelligence Unit, 1st
Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, and 7th Special Forces
Company, Philippine Army launched the operation based on the decision of the
Municipal Circuit Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region, Tubay-Santiago, Agusan del
Norte under criminal case number 3197.
Charged
with attempted homicide, Marcela B. Diaz a.k.a. Silay Diaz, an active member of
the Sub-Regional Committee under the Southland Northeastern Mindanao Regional
Committee fell to the hands of the authorities as the operation was safely
enforced in Barangay Bayan.
Based
on the report, Diaz was identified as one of the assailants in the shooting of
Private First Class Junrel Cornelio and CAFGU Active Auxiliary Emiliniano Sajol
Jr., both members of 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army while in a combat
patrol operation in Sitio Manhupaw, Brgy Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del
Norte on November 21, 2020.
Meanwhile,
Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Regional Director PBGen. Romeo Caramat, Jr.
said the successful operation of Diaz has initially given justice to the government
troopers who risked their own lives.
“We commend the joint efforts made by the police and the army amidst the intensified counterinsurgency drive in the region. Her arrest will initially give justice to our troops who continue to risk their own lives in pursuit of genuine peace,” PBGen. Caramat said. (with a report from PRO-13/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
