Serbisyo Caravan reaches indigenous peoples community in Magpet

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 11, 2020): Serbisyo Caravan reaches indigenous peoples community in Magpet (By Danilo E. Doguiles)

MAGPET, Cotabato Province, Nov. 11 (PIA) -- The Government Serbisyo Caravan has reached Barangay Manobo, Magpet in Cotabato Province Tuesday, November 10.

The Serbisyo Caravan, participated in by provincial and municipal local government units and national government agencies formally kicks off the implementation of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in the area.

"We are grateful that for the first time, the provincial government and national line agencies together hold a Serbisyo Caravan for our community. Through this caravan our residents experience and understand that there is a government that is ready to extend help for their good," Barangay Manobo chairman Roldan Pelonio told Philippine Information Agency.

RCSP is a convergence of national government agencies and local government units aimed at providing comprehensive development initiatives in communities that have been cleared of the influence of the communist terrorist group (CTG) through the military-led Community Support Program (CSP). It is a response to the mandate of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Executive Order No. 70 to end local communist armed conflict.

Chairman Pelonio explained that for years residents of Barangay Manobo were heavily affected by the New Peoples Army (NPA) because of its location.

"Manobo, also called Barangay Tiko, is the farthest community in Cotabato Province. In fact, we share boundaries with Barangay Tamayong and Barangay Tambobong in Calinan District of Davao City. These boundaries are mountainous and forested, a favorite lair of the rebel group which made the residents of Barangay Manobo the easiest victims of the NPAs," Pelonio said.

Barangay Manobo has a population of over 6,000. About 99 percent of the residents here are indigenous people.

As an RCSP target area, Barangay Manobo is eligible for a P20 million development assistance package from the national government in 2021.

Pelonio said the community has already identified where the fund will be spent on.

Their priority, he emphasized is the concreting of a 1.7-kilometer portion of the 3.5-kilometer road that traverses 8 of its 14 sitios (sub-villages). Once completed, the road project will greatly improve access and transport of products and services to and from sitios like Linaysing, Punong, Maluso, Mahitang, Elid, and Pantaron.



Meanwhile, in her message to the residents of Manobo during the caravan, Gov. Nancy Catamco, emphasized that there is no reason for people to rebel against the government.

"In the past we may have causes for rebellion because it seemed that we were left out. We didn't have road. We didn't have schools and water systems. But now, nobody has reason to rebel against the government because the government is doing its best to address all the needs of its people," Gov. Catamco said.

One of the most significant projects implemented in the area is the construction of a reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridge across the river at the entry point of the barangay.

Construction works immediately started after the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday (November 6) for the P22-million project funded by the provincial government through its 20 percent Economic Development Plan.

Per contract, the bridge should be completed in July 2021.

"This bridge means so much to the Manobo community. Transport of our products will be easier. Also, we won't anymore be concerned of our people meeting accidents when crossing the river especially during inclement weather," Chairman Pelonio said.



During the Serbisyo Caravan, the provincial government delivered its initial commitments to the community as identified during the immersion of the ELCAC Core Team in the area. These commitments include the distribution of seedlings, dispersal of farm animals, livelihood support, medicines for the barangay health center, food packs and other aids for pregnant mothers and malnourished children, and many others.

Government line agencies such as TESDA, DSWD, PSA, DENR, AFP, PNP, DOLE, DTI, PhilHealth, LTO, DA, DOH, NHA, NCIP, DAR, DILG were also present to deliver their frontline services and explain to residents what services can be availed from each office and how to avail them.

Manobo is one of the 10 barangays in Magpet identified as target areas of RCSP this year. Six more will be added for the development initiative in 2021.

In SOCCSKSARGEN Region, 62 barangays have been included in the target areas for RCSP; 36 of these are in Cotabato Province. (DED-PIA XII) 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1058634