Davao City – The Eastern Mindanao Command through the 52^nd Engineering Brigade, Philippine Army entered into an agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Local Government Unit of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte for the construction of classrooms intended for lumad learners in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

The project under DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS will be implemented initially in seven sites of Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte which is considered Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA).

The agreement provides that the implementation shall adopt the strategy of convergence and “whole of nation approach” wherein communities involved will participate, as well as integration of programs of different agencies shall be observed.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Eastern Mindanao Command represented by Bgen. Dionisio Baudin, Commander of 52^nd Engineering Brigade, committed to provide security, technical assistance, limited labor, and supervision until completion of the project.

In his remarks, Bgen. Baudin confirmed the sincerity of the military to carry out the task.

“The real job is after the signing and we assure everyone that we are sincere and will carry out the task of building these classrooms for our IP children and youth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DSWD, Municipal Tribal Council, LGU and BLGU will be in charge of the procurement of materials, monitoring cultural sensitivity, and the participation of the community and tribal beneficiaries in the overall implementation of the project.

Aside from Bgen Baudin, the the agreement signing was witnessed and attended by Mayor Basilio Libayao, DSWD Assistant Regional Director Rebecca A. Santamaria, Bgen. Antonio Rosario representing Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal and other officials from the military, DSWD, and LGU. (pr)