Agusan Sur gov’t workers endure 14-hour hike for relief mission
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — A team of public servants were recently sent on a mission to visit and bring essential supplies to the farthest and most isolated village in Agusan del Sur—Sitio Kamalangan, Barangay San Vicente, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The team composed of personnel from Agusan del Sur’s Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO), and Education and Development Services Division (EDSD) were handpicked by Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr., and were likewise accompanied by select public school teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd).
Without a road or pathway, the only means of reaching the area is by foot. Starting from Barangay San Vicente, locals of the Higaonon and Talaandig tribes tread an eight-hour mountainous trail going to Sitio Kamalangan.
However, due to the unfamiliarity of the location, the provincial team hiked for fourteen hours instead of the usual eight, journeying through the forests, crossing river after river, and overcoming their fear of lurking snakes and other animals just to reach their destination.
“It was an adventure that none of us had ever experienced before. But the moment we arrived, seeing the living condition of the people there, we realized—it was all worth it,” said Alexis Cabardo, information officer II of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Public Information Office.
They brought with them food and non-food items, including hygiene kits from the provincial government. The office of Vice-Governor Patricia Plaza sent school supplies and toys to be distributed to the children of Sitio Kamalangan, as well.
“This was a mission delegated to us by the governor himself so that we could personally witness and observe the living condition of our fellow Agsurnons in the far-flung areas. Through this initiative, the provincial government will be able to assess what kind of assistance and projects must be undertaken based on their needs as evidenced in our documentation,” Cabardo expounded.
Before leaving Sitio Kamalangan, the provincial team took advantage of the rare opportunity to personally interact with the residents by conducting a short open forum with the tribe leaders and the rest of the community to hear their stories and sentiments. The dialogue aimed to bridge the needs of the residents to the government’s interventions.
“Malipay ko ug maayo kung matukuran na mi diri ug eskwelahan aron among mga bata diri maka-eskwela. Ug pati na pud ang among dalan padulong diri sa among sitio, mao na ang mga importante kaayo (I will be very happy if a school will be built here in our village so that our children could go to school. And also a road from the main highway going here, these are very important for us),” shared Mangkondisyon Linduna, one of the residents of Sitio Kamalangan.
Upon the team’s return to their respective offices, a meeting was immediately held together with the provincial governor to present the results and documentation of their visit.
As a result, Gov. Cane assured that the construction of a passable road going to Sitio Kamalangan will be one of the priority projects of the province as a response to the outcry of the residents. Through this philanthropic expedition, the provincial government of Agusan del Sur reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting the lives of the Agsurnons even from the farthest village of the province. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from PPIO Agusan del Sur)
