MORE AID. Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib (3rd from left) leads the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) with representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and municipal officials at Tahanan, Capitol Compound on Aug. 16, 2021. The MOA provides other forms of assistance to the indigenous peoples from Talaingod town. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)
DAVAO CITY – Government assistance continues to pour for the victims of the "taktikang bakwit (evacuees-tactic)" of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Center in Davao City after their return to their residences in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, the Army's 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said on Wednesday.
The 99 indigenous peoples (IPs) returned home from Haran Center on Aug. 8 after being deceived by the false promises of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
In a statement, the 10ID said since they have returned home, various government agencies and local government units (LGUs) have extended help.
On Aug. 16, 68 IP families received housing units in Sitio Tibucag, Dagohoy, worth PHP17.25 million funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) with the province’s counterpart funding of PHP6 million.
On the same day, a memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the provincial government of Davao del Norte was signed to cater other needed assistance to the people of Talaingod.
“This will help our IP harness their agri-potential lands. All agri-products can be transported without delay in the coming months after the completion of the projects,” the statement added.
On Aug 14, the 10ID, with the support provided by the Tactical Operations Group in Region 11 (TOG 11) and Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao (TOWEM), facilitated the transport of a total of 2,500-kilogram IPs’ belongings to Talaingod.
On Aug. 9, a multi-agency effort was made to dialogue, organize, and transport the IPs from Haran back to their communities.
As part of the agreement, the LGUs vowed for the provisions of food supply and materials for shelter construction while there are no established sources of livelihood of the IPs.
The AFP and the Philippine National Police also committed to providing assistance in the construction of their houses and makeshift school, farming/vegetable gardening activities for immediate food supply, the establishment of patrol bases/detachments in their communities for security assistance (they are requesting for security) and assistance in the coordination with concerned government offices/agencies.
“The evacuees also committed to publicly declared and pledged that they will never go back to UCCP Haran and they will support the government programs,” the 10ID added. (PNA)
