Five national government agencies, led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and the local government of Davao Del Norte and Kapalong town launched on Friday the “Adopt-an-IP-Family” program emphasizing a “No Dole-Out” philosophy.
As Chairman of the MinDA, I led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sec. Isidro Lapeña of the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Sec. Allen Capuyan of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Gov. Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Mayor Ma. Theresa Timbol of Kapalong town and Lt Gen Jose Faustino Jr, commander of Easter Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III also signed a Commitment of Support to the Adopt-an-IP Family program through their agency’s regional directors in ceremonies held at the Agriculture Production Center in Kapalong.
Tribal leaders, including the leaders of the 150 families dubbed as the “Lost Tribe” who were discovered by an Army Long Range Patrol deep in the jungles of Davao Del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon, joined the ceremonies.
The government agencies agreed to support the LGUs in providing a “Consolidated Package of Assistance to IPs of Davao del Norte” observing the philosophy of Empowerment and Self-Reliance.
Gov. Jubahib said that IP families who will be included in the 4Ps program of the government in the province should be required to undertake productive activities.
The activities include planting of forest and fruit trees like Cacao, Coffee and others, Abaca, Coconut, root crops such as Ube and subsistence crops like upland rice and white corn.
A ceremonial planting of Coconut, cardava banana and Cacao preceded the signing of the MOA.
The provincial government of Davao Del Norte will provide each of the family of the “Lost Tribe” a modest house in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong.
Planting materials and farming tools will be provided to the families while other agencies will also contribute support to the program.
The launching of the “Adopt-an-IP-Family” Program came less than a month after I encountered the members of the “Lost Tribe” in Kapalong which led to the crafting of the program.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#LetsWalkAnExtraKilometer!
#LetsClimbOneMoreMountain!
#LetsCrossOneMoreRiver!
#LetsChaseOneMoreDream!
(Photos were taken by the Media Team of the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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