The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), together with line agencies and civil society organizations, have conducted a needs assessment on peace-building and development among the indigenous peoples (IP) on Nov. 17.
The members of the Ata Manobo tribe from Barangay Dagohoy, Palma, and Santo Niño in Davao del Norte converged under one roof to discuss pressing issues affecting their communities.
"The gathering is considered a milestone since this is the first time that tribe members from all barangays came together to discuss peace-building and development efforts," OPAPP said in an official statement.
The needs assessment is in line with the commitment of Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. to help uplift the lives of the country’s IPs who were "influenced and exploited" by communist-terrorist groups, OPAPP pointed out.
"By engaging the IPs at the community level, the concerned line agencies and LGUs (local government units) will be able to identify projects and interventions that are best suited to the needs of the people," it added.
The assessment was also attended by representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the provincial government of Davao del Norte, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the municipal government of Talaingod, and Commission on Human Rights. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)