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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Manobo tribe's dream school becoming a reality despite COVID-19 crisis

Manobo tribe's dream school becoming a reality despite COVID-19 crisis

Published May 13, 2020 12:00 am
By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – Leaders and members of a Manobo tribe in the conflict-affected highland community in Surigao del Sur province are beaming with gratitude as the government started the construction of a much-awaited Indigenous Peoples (IPs) school for their children. Shown in photo is the ongoing construction of the Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) school conducted by the Community Support Teams (CST) of the 3rd SFBn, 544thEngineering Battalion and local residents strategically located in the highland community in the Simuwao area, Kilometer 9 in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of 3rd SFBn-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin) Shown in photo is the ongoing construction of the Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) school conducted by the Community Support Teams (CST) of the 3rd SFBn, 544thEngineering Battalion and local residents strategically located in the highland community in the Simuwao area, Kilometer 9 in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of 3rd SFBn-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin) The school will be called Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions, and is strategically located in their highland community. The Manobo tribal sectoral leaders and their tribal chieftain and the Lianga IP Mandatory Representative, led by Datu Hawudon Jumar S. Bucales, on Tuesday afternoon expressed their gratitude to the government in fulfilling their longed aspirations to have their own IP school that will be managed by the government. The construction of the IP makeshift school emanated from the IP Council and the barangay’s resolutions. The Lianga local government adopted the resolutions which were supported by the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), chaired by Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel; and the Regional Development Council-Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC), chaired by Mayor Kirk A. Asis of Bayugan City, as part of the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (RTF-ELCAC’s) efforts to implement development projects for identified Peace and Development Zones (PDZ) in Caraga region. Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, commanding officer of the Third Special Forces Battalion (3rd SFBn) said that the community support teams of the 3rdSFBn with the 544th Engineer Battalion will continue to protect the sitio until the completion of the school project. It can be recalled that New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked civilians last February 21, injuring three civilians as a desperate move to hamper the development intended for the IPs and demonize the military, according to 1st Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 3rd SFBn. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan D. Hambala, commanding general of the Army’s 401ST Infantry (Unity) Brigade on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to the prompt response of the RTF-ELCAC member agencies to make the schools ready before the opening of classes after the COVID-19 crisis. “To make the IPs resilient and not deprive them of quality education are some of the objectives of the Whole of Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Through proper education, the IPs will be able to protect themselves from the CNTs’ deception and exploitation,” the 401st Brigade commander said. “Further, providing them quality education could help them preserve and develop their culture and tradition, “Brig. Gen. Hambala added.
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