The Department of Agriculture turned over assorted goods to the Manobo tribe in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. (Photo from the Department of Agriculture in Region 12)
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines — For the first time, members of a Manobo community in Barangay Domolol, a remote village in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat, interacted with government officials on Thursday, Sept. 2, when the Department of Agriculture distributed aid to their farmers.
The aid — livelihood packages worth a total of P1.2 million is part of the Barangay Extension Service Operation (BESO) Outreach Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Soccsksargen Region.
Arlan Mangelen, the regional executive director of the DA, led the distribution.
“This is the first time that DA reached our place and helped our IPs [indigenous peoples],” said Palimbang Mayor Joenime Kapina.
He expressing hope that more aid would come to wean the village away from the influence of communist guerrillas.
“This is the first-ever livelihood project from the government given to our community,” said Lumawan Dewig, who represents the tribe in the municipal council. “Now we are convinced that the government exists to help us IPs.”
The chief of Barangay Domolol, Joseph Diza, said his constituents never received any aid from the government, even the basic services, due to the sheer distance from the town center.
Domolol is six hours away by land travel from this capital town of Sultan Kudarat province.
Because of this, Diza added, many villagers felt neglected and were vulnerable to recruitment into the communist movement.
“Many of them have not seen a government doctor since birth. I hope government help will continue,” Dewig said.
Mangelen urged the leaders of the village and the tribe to avail of the projects and assistance from the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran Para sa Kababayang Katutubo or 4Ks program that intends to foster development in tribal communities.