Davao del Norte – The 1003rd BDE represented by the Executive Officer LTC. Donald C. Gaffud GSC (INF) PA and 89IB led by MAJ. Jershome O. Butt (INF) PA, OIC, attended the launching and MOA signing of Bamboo Livelihood Program in the 20 has. land area of Sitio Maguintalunan, Brgy. New Visayas, Sitio Mangga, Brgy. Magwawa and Sitio Talos, Brgy. San Jose, all of Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte on 16 October 2020 held at Brgy. Magwawa, Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte, that will be fully supported thru the effort of Davao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Hon. Allan Dujali.
The project aimed to provide long term additional livelihood assistance to the residents at the same time raising awareness on environmental protection. Recipients of the program are thriving at communist terrorist group’s influenced areas before the clearing efforts of 89th (Makatao) Battalion thru the conduct of Community Support Program (CSP).
Beneficiaries are former Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members and majority are Indigenous People- Ata-Manobo.
The project will also be supported by other partner stakeholders such as : Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (PENRO) which provided the bamboo seedling; and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which provided the cash assistance “cash for work” during clearing the planting site and actual bamboo planting.
Beneficiaries will maintain and tend the area until harvest for the bamboos to become a by-product.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI XI) will be the agency which will provide training for handicraft making use of the bamboos eventually.
The project will not only serve to be just a livelihood aid for the Indigenous People but it is also a way of saving the area and its people from Communist Terrorist Group’s possible attempt of resurgence.
As always, Makatao will continue to perform its mandate in ensuring safety and security of the people against communist terroristic threats especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the AO. (CMO 1003rd Brigade | OIC Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao)
