Planning starts for Xmas for IPs

THE Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) has started talks with the tribal leaders on the suggested activities and assistance the city can give to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) residing on the hinterland areas for the incoming Christmas season.

“Kung unsa atong mga nahimo last year nga pagsunod sa direktiba ni Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio nga ihatod nato didto ang pahalipay, i-continue ug isustain. Further i-enhance nato tung ang paghatag ug pagpadangat ani nga programa (The activities done last year under the directive of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio to bring gifts to them will be continued and sustained. We will further enhance the delivery of the programs)," CSSDO head Maria Luisa T. Bermudo said during I-Speak media forum last week.

Bermudo added that they eye to retain the policy of limiting the number of days of IPs who want to stay within the city like they did last year.

"Nabilin man gud tung outside Davao City so gitagaan nato sila ug 10 days or five days nga mag-stay, tapos gi-advise nato sila nga mubalik sa tagsa-tagsa ka barangay (Some of

those from outside Davao City stayed so we gave them five to ten days to return home)," she added.

This delivery of service and less than two-week stay of IPs only started last year.

During the previous years the IPs were allowed by then City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to stay in the different shelter areas in the city for the whole month of December.

Bermudo said that aside from the IPs residing within the city, they have also conducted dialogues last year with the IPs from neighboring areas of the city, including Talaingod, Comval, Bukidnon on the proposed programs that the city can extend.

"Nakahigayon mi ug istorya sa ila ug nag-propose mi unsa ang mga programa before the year ends kay dili man gud nato sila totally ma-prevent, but we are hoping that ma-minimize nato ang pag-anhi sa atong kaigsuunan nga lumad na silingan sa Davao (We had the chance to talk with them on the proposed programs they need because we cannot stop them from coming down, but we would want to minimize their numbers)," she said.

She said that this meeting and consultations with various IP leaders started in the same month last year.

She added that they eye to gather suggestions, recommendations to ensure the proper flow of the showcase of the activities of IPs which they need to schedule.

Bermudo added that it was December 10 last year when they started their 15-day activity in Paquibato where they brought health care programs for the IPs, wherein IPs themselves also enjoyed tribal games, beauty fair, and showcase of their culture and products.

Based on a report the Pahalipay sa Lumad sa Pasko or Pasko Fiesta para sa mga Lumad had 9,014 beneficiaries.

The report said that IPs were able to receive gifts from the city government and other well wishers.

In coordination with the deputy mayors, the City Civil Registrar's Office (CCRO) was also able to conduct birth registrations in Kibalang Gym, Marahan Gym, Salumay Gym, Tamugan Gym, Malabog Gym, Pañalum Gym and Panaga Gym.

Kasalan ng Bayan was also conducted in Barangay Marahan, Marlog District and Barangay Pañalum, Paquibato District.

Tribal games were conducted at Marilog Proper Gym, Marahan Gym, Datu Salumay Gym, Tamugan Gym, Malabog Gym, Pañalum Gym and Panaga Gym.

Showcasing of Tribal and Cultural Dances were also done in Barangay Marilog Proper, Marahan, Datu Salumay and Tamugan.

Children's Day was also conducted in all shelter areas namely, Bunawan Gym, Buhangin Gym, Barangay Duterte Agdao Gym, Barangay 5-A Gym, Matina Aplaya (Shanghai Gym), Tugbok Gym, Calinan Riverside Gym, Kibalang Gym, Marahan Gym, Salumay Gym, Tamugan Gym, Malabog Gym, Pañalum Gym and Panaga Gym.

Health fair day was also conducted.

Balihudnoy and Pa'ayad-ayad (Beauty Fair) were conducted at Marilog Proper Gym, Marahan Gym, Datu Salumay Gym, Tamugan Gym, Malabog Gym, Pañalum Gym and Panaga Gym.