Army, govt agencies conduct dialogue with tribal communities
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- In a bid to empower indigenous peoples (IP) communities and promote their welfare, different government agencies collaborated with the Philippine Army (PA) in an IP consultative dialogue.
The event with theme, “Gahum sa Katribu," was attended by 50 IP leaders and participants from the different tribal communities under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 048 and CADT 254 all from Surigao del Norte in a two-day activity held at headquarters, 901st Brigade, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte on January 30-31.
The dialogue was well-attended by the representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), local government units of Surigao del Norte and the Army’s 901st Brigade and the 30th Infantry Battalion where they shared information about their respective programs and services to the participants.
The event also provided a platform for IP leaders to deliver their main concerns on how to improve the welfare of their communities.
“Mapasalamaton gayud ako sa atong gobyerno nga adunay ingon niini nga mga panghitabo. Hinaot nga magpadayon kini, ikaw ug akong mga kaubang IP sa atong CADT makalaom nga dili na mobalik ang mga NPA sa atong lugar ug kami na mismo ang magbantay sa atong ancestral domain. Daghang salamat sa tabang sa atong gobyerno kay wala ta nila gipasagdan,” tribal leader of Brgy. Magtangale, San Francisco, Bae Leonedes Laid said.
On his part, Brigadier General Arsenio Sadural, commander of the 901st Brigade, stated that empowering Indigenous Peoples communities and promoting their welfare is important, and by working together with other government agencies, they can make a significant impact on their lives.
He recognized that IP communities are vulnerable to New People’s Army recruitment and is committed to collaborating with government agencies to address this issue.
Through the dialogue, they empowered IP communities and provided them with alternative livelihood opportunities to prevent them from falling prey to NPA recruitment.
The "Gahum Sa Katribu" IP consultative dialogue is part of a broader effort of the government to promote peace, development, and social justice in IP communities. By working together with other government agencies and the PA, this will make a significant impact on the lives of the IPs and promote their welfare. (901st IB, PA/PIA- Surigao del Norte)
