DSWD, Army engineers to build schools for IPs in Davao del Norte

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with the Philippine Army engineers to construct at least seven schools for indigenous people (IP) in a town in Davao del Norte.

The Eastern Mindanao Command of the Philippine Army, through the 52nd Engineering Brigade, has entered into an agreement with DSWD and the local government of Talaingod, Davao del Norte for the construction of classrooms intended for the children of the Lumad indigenous people (IP).

The project is under DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the government’s poverty-alleviation programs implemented by the Department, which uses the community-driven development approach to empower communities in targeted poor and disaster-affected municipalities.

It will initially be implemented in seven sites in Barangay Sto. Niño, Talaingod, which is considered a geographicallyisolated and disadvantaged area.

Under the agreement signed by the parties, the implementation of the project shall adopt a convergence strategy and will use a “whole of nation approach,” wherein communities involved shall participate and the programs of different agencies involved will be integrated.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Eastern Mindanao Command represented by Brig. Gen. Dionisio Baudin, Commander of the 52nd Engineering Brigade, committed to providing security, technical assistance, limited labor, and supervision until the completion of the project.

“The real job is after the signing of this agreement. We assure everyone that we are sincere and will carry out the task of building these classrooms for our IP children and youth,” Baudin said.