DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan 28 (PIA)--- Members of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Municipality of Talaingod will soon be owning housing units as the National Housing Authority (NHA) has allotted more funds for housing projects in this Ata-Manobo municipality.
NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. yesterday said that NHA will pour another P100 million in 2020 for housing projects in Talaingod, on top of the P60 million that NHA had allocated in 2019.
Based on the NHA Information Board mounted in Sitio Nasilaban, NHA is set to construct 100 housing units in each of the sitios in Nasilaban and Galong, Brgy Palma Gil; and in Sitio Mesolong, Brgy Sto. Nino using the 2019 fund allocation.
The same NHA infoboard indicates that NHA will be building 100 housing units in each of the sitios in Central Baugan in Brgy Palma Gil; Cuyas and Basak in Brgy Sto. Nino; and Lomondong and Balite in Brgy Dagohoy.
Aside from housing units, Escalada also assured commitment of NHA to build an IP Dormitory in Talaingod so IPs, especially students, would have free place to stay while schooling or while transacting official businesses with the local government.
Escalada attended the ground-breaking ceremony of housing sites on Monday (Jan 27) in Sitio, Nasilaban. The event was also attended by Datu Guibang Apoga, the tribal chieftain of Sitio Nasilaban; Department of National Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, chairperson of the Balik-Loob Program; Davao del Norte 1st District Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez, Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib; Municipal Mayor Jonnie Libayao of Talaingod; Major General Jose C. Faustino Jr, commander Eastern Mindanao Command; Major Gen Reuben Basiao, commander of 10th Inf. “Agila” Division. Provincial Board Members and Municipal Councilors were also present.
During the same event, Mapagu viewed the housing ground-breaking rites as “symbolic” of the government’s thrust, under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, to bring social services, programs and projects to far-flung communities.
“Lahat ng serbisyo ay makakarating sa dulo na komunidad,” he said addressing Ata-Manobo community leaders and members during the program held after the housing ground-breaking rites.
Other than housing units, Governor Jubahib said more projects are coming for the benefit of the Ata-Manobo communities in Talaingod such as livestock and poultry, agriculture projects, more access roads leading to far-flung communities.
Jubahib recently had clinched the commitment of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) to install 1,000 electric connections to households in Talaingod. He said he had already installed generator sets to some IP communities in this municipality.
He, however, challenged the Ata-Manobos of Talaingod to fully support the government especially President Rodrigo Duterte and to turn their backs against rebellion saying “they would have no reason at all to go against the government which is visibly delivering services right at their communities”.
Nasilaban Tribal Chieftain Guibang took note of the quick delivery projects and services promised by the government.
Speaking in vernacular, Guibang was heard saying thrice “automatic tabang gobyerno (automatic government help)” combined with Ata-Manobo lines in his message.
Based on interpretation, Guibang was giving thanks to the government which he had noted in the past were fond of giving broken promises.
He was glad that the government now is showing “automatic” action of its commitment to build schools, roads and houses in his community.
Guibang had once spearheaded the underground rebellion movement with the New People’s Army for almost 30 years until last year when he decided to return to mainstream society. (PIA XI Jeanevive Duron Abangan)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.