Davao del Norte – Dubbed as “Adlaw sa Kalinaw”, the Provincial Government along with National Government Agencies (NGAs) in the province and some Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have convened to bring their respective services to the Indigenous People (IP) of Talaingod.
Health agencies such as the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Municipal Health Office (MHO) conducted free medical consultation and circumcision to IP children as well as distribution of medicine.
The Department of Education (DepEd) conducted story-telling and learning activities to the IP children and also distributed learning materials such as coloring books, and crayons.
The Provincial Sports and Youth Development Office (PSYDO) conducted youth consultation and traditional games with prizes for the IP youth to participate in.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) gave out food packs and conducted birth registration.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) conducted meat processing training such as ‘longganisa making’ and ‘tocino making’ to the IP women.
The 56th Infantry Battalion gave out free haircuts while the PNP issued police clearances.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (PENRO) gave out free vegetable and vegetable seedlings to the IPs while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave out free coffee.
As mentioned, in the 2nd Adlaw sa Kalinaw, Rotary Tagum North joined to distribute 460 pairs of slippers and 300 pieces of donuts. As well, Kiwanis Club International handed 600 packs of toys, doughnuts and ice cream, 400 school supplies, facemasks, and cash gifts to the IP Communities of Sitio KM31.
Adlaw sa Kalinaw is a non-consecutive 3-day information and service caravan that aims to win the heart of the target IP communities in Talaingod by fulfilling their basic needs. Through this, Executive Order No. 70 “Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict” (ELCAC) is implemented.
During the program on the 2nd leg of Adlaw sa Kalinaw, Governor Edwin I. Jubahib told the IP audience that he understands why some IPs may have supported the NPA before due to them being neglected by the government. He said the situation has changed and the government is now directly coming to Talaingod to bring services; hence, there is no reason to support the NPA anymore.
He assured that the true government is working to address the need for new roads, additional schools, health centers, livelihood, tribal halls, electricity, water systems, and solar dryers, among others.
With this, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)-Eastern Mindanao Area Manager Oliver Binancilan, 1003rd IB Commander BGen. Nolasco Mempin, 56th IB Commander LTC. Norman Valdez, and Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) Chief Col. Ranie Hachuela also took turns in asking the IPs to remain in the folds of the government, to stop supporting the NPA, and to call on their families who are still in the rebellion to come home.
Tribal Chief Datu Rofo Anlay assured the IPs are ready to cooperate with the government in its peace and development efforts.
The first Adlaw sa Kalinaw was held on April 21, 2021 at Vicinity Bato, Brgy. Dagohoy, Talaingod while the second was on April 29, 2021 at Sitio KM 31, Brgy. Dagohoy, Talaingod. The third is to be conducted at Sitio Nasilaban, Brgy. Dagohoy, Talaingod on May 5, 2021.
Other officials who were in the program include Board Member Roger Laguna, Mayor Jonie Libayao, Provincial Administrator Engr. Josie Jean Rabanoz and various provincial department heads. (Jan Vincent Leuterio, PIA-XI | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)