Conflict-free village in Negros gets support from civic groups

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 29, 2024): Conflict-free village in Negros gets support from civic groups (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

ASSISTANCE. Residents of the far-flung Sitio Madaha in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, receive relief goods and school supplies for children during the visit of representatives from civic organizations on Aug. 24, 2024.The Association of Negros Producers and the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion led the activity. (Photo courtesy of the Association of Negros Producers)

BACOLOD CITY – The remote community of Sitio Madaha in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City received more support from various civic organizations to help improve their lives after becoming a conflict-cleared area or free from the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Led by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) and the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), representatives of the Felix G. Yusay Foundation Inc. and Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. brought various assistance to residents on Aug. 24 after almost a day of travel, passing through the bounders of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

“This is the first time we’ve seen such a large number of stakeholders visit Sitio Madaha. It’s a testament to the growing commitment to support this community,” Sybel Nobleza, ANP officer-in-charge-external affairs manager, said in a statement on Thursday.

The foundation’s executive director Sharon Jornadal led the distribution of 90 packs of relief goods and school supplies.

“We will also provide support for the light materials needed to establish one classroom for the students in Sitio Madaha,” she said.

Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc., led by founder Kenneth Bacala, organized activities for children such as storytelling, interactive dance, and parlor games.

Members of the Central Philippines State University Comrades held hygiene awareness sessions, while personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform Negros Occidental-II South distributed seeds to the Madaha Hand Weavers Association.

Nobleza said the ANP also distributed 90 packs of school supplies and conducted product monitoring in preparation for the 38th Negros Trade Fair in Manila on Sept. 17 to 22.

The ANP has been helping the community’s “tikog” weavers in marketing their products, such as sleeping mats, table runners, coin purses, hats, and fans with traditional patterns unique to Madaha.

Nobleza said the Barangay Council of Buenavista would allocate PHP1 million to put up a concrete annex school building in Sitio Madaha.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, 94IB chief, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to address the needs of marginalized communities.

“The stakeholders’ visit and community support activities bring hope and encouragement to the residents of Sitio Madaha, a once rebel-infested community,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232188