There is a community of 140 families belonging to the Ata-Manobo tribe of Davao which has survived in the jungles in the tri-boundary of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon without any help from government as they were detached from civilization since birth.
Before the provincial government of Davao del Norte opened a road in an attempt to reach the village, the tribesmen had to walk for eight days to reach the town proper of Kapalong and two to three days to San Fernando in Bukidnon.
Controlled by the New People’s Army (NPA) for over four years before they were accidentally discovered by the Long Range Patrol of the Philippine Army under Col Gilbert Ombos in February 2019, the community lived on yams, bananas, camote and the native Ata rice or Kamad-an whose seeds they preserved for generations.
Many of their houses were described by soldiers who first ventured into the village as similar to birds’ nests built out of round timbers with cogon and Abaca leaves as roofs.
When the Army troops discovered the community while in pursuit of the communist rebels, most of whom are also members of the Ata-Manobo tribe, women were half-naked and only those who ventured out of the village to buy salt and sugar knew how to speak the Cebuano language.
The only members of the tribe who had contact with the outside world were the able-bodied men and leaders who walked for two to three days with products on their backs, like stripped Abaca fiber, which they sold in San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Each would carry between 15 to 30 kilos of Abaca fiber on their backs for the 2 to 3-day trek to San Fernando where they are paid P50 for every kilo.
Whatever little money they got from their produce was used to buy salt, sugar, coffee and tobacco.
It is still not known how and why the tribe decided to live in isolation.
The leaders of the tribe said they have been in the area since birth, as did their ancestors before them.
Since they were discovered last year, the Army established an informal school with soldiers as the first teachers.
Today, three volunteer teachers from Kapalong town in Davao del Norte walk for 6 to 8 hours from Sitio Mondol where the road ends to Sitio Kapayanon where the “Lost Tribe” lives.
Much has changed in their lives since they were discovered by government almost two years ago.
The volunteer teachers, who also belong to the Ata-Manobo tribe, were amazed at how fast the tribesmen could learn a new language and things.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, the former bus conductor who scored an unbelievable upset by defeating long-time political leader Rodolfo del Rosario, says he is determined to open the road up to the village.
Housing and livelihood packages are also being readied for the tribe.
When I met with the leaders of the tribe in Sitio Mondol on Friday, Sept. 11, officials led by Jubahib, Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez, Mayor Tess Timbol of Kapalong and Maj. Gen. Ruben Basiao of the 10th Infantry Division delivered food and other basic items for the community.
Datu Bansing Balanban, the leader of the tribe, said the community needs a school, a water source, a health center, planting materials for vegetables and fruit trees and shotguns to defend themselves from the NPAs who have now become their enemies.
From our meeting point, it would take the tribesmen another 6 to 8 hours of brisk walk to reach the isolated village.
With the relentless effort of government to build a road which would connect Kapalong, Davao del Norte to San Fernando, Bukidnon, the trip would be easier in the the future.
When I left the area, I had a feeling of guilt that I had not come earlier.
Looking at the innocent faces of the village people who did not even realize that government has a duty and obligation to serve them, I squirm at the thought of money and resources of government being squandered for senseless undertakings or, worse, stolen.
Meeting with Cong. Alvarez, Gov. Jubahib and Mayor Timbol back in Kapalong later in the afternoon of Friday, I made a promise that the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) would craft a program which would make the village people feel that there is a government that cares for them.
MinDA will do it fast and quickly deliver it.
Maraming utang ang gobyerno sa mga taong ito. Bibilisan natin ang ating trabaho.
#ReachingOutToTheNeglected!
#CaringForForgottenFilipinos!
#LetsWalkAnExtraKilometer!
#LetsClimbOneMoreMountain!
(This 2nd part of a series of video presentation on Forgotten Filipinos was produced by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
https://fb.watch/aMpLrzJqZD/
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