150 Mindanao tribal leaders to gov’t: Help us fight poverty

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – About 150 tribal leaders from the different tribal councils in highland communities in this landlocked province in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) asked the government to help them combat poverty and not to allow their group to be exploited and manipulated by lawless groups.

Leaders of the Manobo, Higaonon and Banwaon tribes also sought government assistance in their bid to make their ancestral lands more productive through financial assistance and livelihood projects.

The pledge of commitment and request to the government was made during the two-day Provincial Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Conference dubbed as “Kahimunan to Konseho to Manigaon” that ended last Wednesday at the Provincial Learning Center initiated by the Provincial Tribal Council (PTC) of Agusan del Sur.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza assured the tribal leaders of continuous assistance from the provincial government.

During their 2-day activity, the tribal leaders made their traditional ritual called the “Panawagtawag” to seek the guidance of the highest God called the “Mambabaya” which was jointly solemnized by the different Baylans or spiritual leaders of the tribe.

“We also asked for a lasting peace in our respective highland communities,” said an emotional Datu Makahinlo Gubat Marcos U. Gonzales, a tribal chieftain.

He relayed the results of their recent special meeting with President Aquino, in Malacañang Palace last month and mentioned the proposed budget for the IPs in the province of Agusan del Sur which is close to 200 million pesos.

“This is the vision of the late Mayor Dario Otaza (killed in October, this year) of Loreto town, to improve the life of the lumad communities,” Datu Gubat said.

“We will continue his fight; be not discouraged because the whole government is helping us, especially our President,” he added.

One of the highlights of the IP Conference was the ceremonial naming of Rep. .Jose Panganiban Jr of ANAC- IP Party-list as an adopted son of the Higaunon tribe.

“I feel blessed. I’ll prove my worth and help them” he said. The legislator discussed various programs for the IP communities such as scholarship grants for the IP children, free hospitalization and livelihood projects.

Meanwhile, during the same activity, the tribal leaders laid down planned activities in 2016 which will be incorporated on the plans and programs of the PTC.

The plan includes the revision of the some conflicting provision stated on the local guidelines of the implementing rules and regulation of the IP Mandatory Representatives.

The core group of the PTC is looking forward to joint efforts with NCIP for selfless service and commitment on empowering IP communities towards attainment of lasting peace and prosperity.