By Chito A. Fuentes
Members of Mindanao’s mountain tribes, who descend on the City of Davao every Christmas season to enjoy the kindness of their Christian brothers, are hoping that Mayor Rody Duterte would become President of the country.
Omilis Laraze of the Matigsalog Tribe, who has been designated by the City Government as coordinator and head of the thousands of tribal people who make the different public facilities and gymnasium of the city their homes for Christmas, said they have not known of any other top government official who has shown compassion and kindness to the tribal people.
For decades now, since Duterte became Mayor of Davao, the city government has started a program which allows tribal people to stay in the city to do carolling and celebrate Christmas with the Christians.
Davao City residents give out food and used clothes to members of the tribes who celebrate Christmas with them.
The City Government offers facilities for them to stay in and they are provided food during their month-long Christmas visitation in the city.
“Naay instruction si Mayor nga pabantayan ang mga lumad kay di siya gusto nga pasipad-an (The Mayor has given instructions that the lumads be given protection so that they will not be maltreated),” said Lazare.
Laraze, 50, a resident of Sitio Patag, Salumay, Marilog district, first joined the group that descended into Davao in 2006 after moving in from Bukidnon.
“Nakasinati ko nga anhi sila manaygon unya pag-uli naa nay dala nga bugas (I noticed that they came here to carol and when they returned they brought rice with them),” he added.
Pacita Tinampon, 56, of Sumilop, Marilog said they feel welcomed in the city.
“Kada hapon tagaan mi duha ka kilo nga bugas (Every afternoon, we are given two kilos of rice),” she noted.
A member of the Manobo tribe, Tinampon said that each individual is also given two pieces of canned goods and three packs of noodles.
Upon arrival, each one is given meal tickets which will entitle them to the food rations for the entire length of their stay.
“We know we will never go hungry,” she added in Cebuano.
Better yet, Laraze said there will still be enough to share with their families when they head for home on Dec. 26.
Eilin Macla, 50, a Matigsalog like Laraze, said many of those who come down bring their families with them including the little children.
“We are given medical attention by health workers who are always watching over us,” she added.
The three said Mintal, 15 kilometers from the city proper, is their favorite home during their annual Christmas sojourn to the city.
Mental Barangay Capt. Ramon Bargamento II said that like other barangay captains hosting the lumads, he is merely following Duterte’s marching orders.
A deputy mayor before serving as barangay captain since 2007, Bargamento said that Duterte has given specific orders to take care of the lumads when they come for the holidays.
Laraze revealed that the revelers are not only from Davao. Many come from Bukidnon, North Cotabato and other outlying provinces.
Bargamento noted an increase this year saying he had to refuse more transients after the health workers said they have reached the maximum of 3,800.
“While they are here, we not only feed them and address their health and medical needs but also try to make them as comfortable as we can,” he added.
To do this, Bargamento said many agencies are tapped including health, social welfare, police, fire and environment.
A makeshift tent was set up where children can play and listen to stories during the day and watch video shows at night.
For the lumads who have been coming to Davao since Duterte became mayor, they know there will always be room for them.
Little wonder that Laraze, Tinampon, Macla and many of their fellow lumads are excited about the prospects of Duterte becoming president.
“Mayor Duterte has always cared for us the IPs (Indigenous People) and we believe that he is the only Presidential candidate now who truly cares for the tribes,” Laraze said.
Under Duterte’s leadership, the Davao City Government has also appointed Deputy Mayors representing the different tribes, including Moro Tribes, living in Davao City.
Lazare added that they will reciprocate Duterte’s love and kindness by working hard among the members of the different tribes of Mindanao so that the City Mayor of Davao would become President of the Philippines. (CHITO A. FUENTES)
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(Photos credit: Derek Alviola, Rappler)
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