DAVAO CITY – First Congressional District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, through his son Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte, with China-Davao Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen, turned over 320 sewing machines to Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Wednesday, August 2.
The turnover and blessing of the “320 units of household sewing machines” donated by the First Congressional District Office and the People’s Republic of China in Davao to the city government were held at People’s Park in the presence of the 11 tribes.
“These machines will be donated to our indigenous brothers and sisters in all city districts,” Rigo said on behalf of his father, who expressed his deep gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for its contributions on purchasing the sewing machines.
“Our special thanks to the city government of Davao for all the assistance that it will give in the delivery and distribution of these sewing machines to the far-flung indigenous communities; and for the support services to Indigenous People (IP) for the proper use of the machines,” he added.
Rep. Duterte also thanked the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the training interventions it will furnish the IP groups.
According to the lawmaker, with proper training in the operation of the machines and by learning suitable skills in small enterprise management, the sustainability of the community-based project will be ensured.
“This occasion is not simply the turnover of the sewing machines. Today is a red-letter day that gives our indigenous brothers and sisters another ray of hope for a brighter future. May the hand of our God Almighty guide our IP brothers and sisters,” Rigo said.
People’s Republic of China-Davao Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen said that she hopes these sewing machines can help the local people and improve the relationships between their country and the Philippines. Looking back to her childhood memories, she added that these machines are helpful.
“These machines remind me of my childhood. My parents used the sewing machine to make and sell clothes. My parents used a sewing machine to make me and my brother’s shoes. The sewing machines can help the local people in their livelihood,” Xiuzhen said.
“What we are witnessing today is a perfect example of the friendship and collaboration between the two countries of what we can achieve together. Let’s do more to benefit the local people and deepen our friendship,” the Chinese consul-general added.
Xiuzhen also thanked Vice President Sara Duterte for having such an activity under her initiative, with the help of the Office of the First Congressional District and the City Mayor's Office, as she expressed her love to the local people.
Mayor Duterte, who thanked the two sponsors of the sewing machines, said that the city government's goal is to generate livelihood programs in various areas here, particularly where there were past insurgencies.
"The NPA (New People's Army) is no longer present nowadays because we have declared our area insurgency-free for over a year. Our next concern is how to provide food on tables of the people living in the far-flung areas, aside from cultivating our land," Mayor Duterte said in the vernacular.
Mayor Duterte added that it is essential to introduce, not only through the government, to give attention to the IP groups and provide them with opportunities to express their brilliant thoughts and ideas about what they envision to improve their communities.
Jonah Margarette Presto, Peace 911 focal person and assistant chief of staff of the city mayor, said they already met the deputy mayors of the 11 tribes here to deliberate the positive initiatives they can do, especially for the IP groups and the Muslim community.
Peace 911 is a government-led peace and development project here that aims to encourage and support inclusive efforts for peacemaking, peacebuilding, and economic progress within its targeted region.
Presto said the number of sewing machines may be less, but they can start with their plans to improve their communities through this. She also assured that they will look for materials to use, conduct training, and seek support from private and public agencies for the project's success.