The Local Government of Claver in collaboration with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), broke grounds on the what will be the sites of two tribal villages in Barangay Urbiztondo. This marked the start of the construction of Daging Tribal Village in Sitio Daging and Bago Tribal Village, which will not only provide shelter to IP beneficiaries but more importantly, give them hope, social justice, and other opportunities.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Mayor Georgia D. Gokiangkee, Engr. Erasme G. Madlos, NHA Regional Manager Atty. Victor Marc Bernal, Engr. Aik Bantuas, NHA Surigao district Engineer, Atty. Victor Marc Bernal, NCIP Surigao del Norte Acting Provincial Officer, SB Member Leah D. Patan, SK Federation Pres. Marniel Dan Diegas, Datu Alicio Patac (Daging Tribe), and Bae Vangie Porogoy (Bago Tribe). Also in attendance were Maj. Jasper Gacayan, Executive Officer of the 30the IB Phil. Army, the Barangay Council of Urbiztondo headed by Punong Barangay Larry Escutin, Engr. Rynrick Dedumo, Asst. Mun. Engineer, Arc. Jason Buhion, Asst. MPDC, Mr. Jemuel Galgo, and members of the two Mamanwa tribes.
Earlier this year, Mayor Gokiangkee signed a Memorandum of Agreement with NHA, NCIP, and Mamanwa Chieftains Datu Alicio Patac and Datu Banzi Bago Purogoy for the implementation of the said projects. The NHA has granted ₱ 20 Million for each tribal village, while LGU Claver has provided the sites and an additional ₱ 5 Million for each tribe to ensure that the IPs are provided decent housing. (RPN DXKS Surigao via Municipality of Claver)