Caring for Forgotten Filipinos!
'ADOPT-A-TRIBAL FAMILY' PROGRAM
JOINT MinDA, DAVAO NORTE PLAN
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib yesterday welcomed the proposal of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for the launching of "Adopt-A-Tribal Family" program in his province to involve well-meaning and generous Filipinos in helping the disadvantaged tribal families in Mindanao.
I conceptualized the "Adopt-A-Tribal Family" Program following our visit to Kapalong, Davao del Norte on Friday where government officials led by Gov. Jubahib, Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez, Kapalong Mayor Tess Timbol and Maj. Gen. Ruben Basiao of the 10th Infantry Division of the Army met with leaders of an isolated Ata-Manobo community in Barangay Gupitan.
On the way back to the town, I stopped by the side of a newly-opened road to talk to a family living in a house made out of tree bark, bamboo slats and tarps as roofing.
Dispossessed of their Ancestral Lands by large logging companies which virtually cleared the forests of centuries old trees many years ago, the tribal families now rely on farm chores to make a few hundred pesos for food.
In the "Adopt-A-Tribal Family" Program which I proposed to Gov. Jubahib, generous Filipino families will be asked to enter into a partnership with the provincial government in sponsoring one tribal family.
The provincial government of Davao del Norte will provide each sponsored family with a pre-fabricated house worth P80,000 while the sponsoring family will be asked to provide a counterpart amount of P50,000 which will be used in providing the family with livelihood projects like free-range chicken, native pigs, vegetables seeds and planting materials of fruit trees.
The sponsoring families will also be asked to donate clothing and old household wares including school needs of young tribal children.
The Mindanao Development Authority will assist in providing a profile of each sponsored family and a database which will give sponsors updates on the progress of the families.
While there are government agencies which could provide support for this program, I have decided to present a concept which involves generous sponsors to show to these tribal families that they are cared for and loved by their fellow Filipinos.
Next week, MinDA will submit to Gov. Jubahib the blueprint of the "Adopt-A-Tribal Family" program for the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and subsequent implementation.
MinDA will also share the concept paper with the Governors of other Mindanao provinces with large Tribal population and convince them to replicate the program.
#ItsTimeToShowThemLove!
#LetsCareForTribalFamilies!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(This video presentation is a production of the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
21 сен 2020
