MARILOG, Davao City (DSWD XI) – Some 69 tribal leaders from Matigsalug tribe attendedthe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Indigenous People – Community Driven Development (Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA IP-CDD) Ancestral Domain (AD) Assembly at MACOEMADACI Friendship Building, Sito Marahan.
The AD Assembly aimed at providing detailed overview and features of Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA IP-CDD, significant provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and the Guidelines on Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Present were officials from National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Philippine National Police, DSWD officers, Barangay Leaders, and the Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinating Teams (ACT).
“The Ancestral Domain Assembly, part of the Social Preparation stage of Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA IP-CDD, ensures that any sub-project decided upon by the community, which will be built or implemented within ancestral lands protected and possessed by IP groups should pass approval from the IP group and their leaders. In this way, the path towards empowerment and progress do not trample on other people’s rights,” explained DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.
Also discussed during the assembly were the roles of the DSWD, NCIP, LGUs and tribal leaders in the implementation of IP- CDD.
The 69 IP leaders from the Matigsalog tribe, representing the sectors from elders, youth, and women, appointed the Community Sub-Project Management Committee (CSPMC), a group composed of community volunteers entrusted with the responsibility of managing the subproject with the technical assistance of the DSWD Area Coordinating Team (ACT).
“The formation of CSPMC ensures that the program provides everyone the opportunity to be heard especially in making decisions for his/her community. IP communities are able to participate in informed decision making for their community sub-projects,” Merlinda A. Paragamac, DSWD Promotive Services Division Chief stressed.
Covered areas of Kalahi-CIDSS IP-CDD in Region XI are Nabunturan, Mawab, Maco, Pantukan, Mabini, Maragusan, Talaingod, San Isidro in Davao del Norte, Kapalong, Sto. Tomas, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel, Boston, Kiblawan, Don Marcelino, New Bataan, and Compstela.
Total Grant Allocation for the IP-CDD implementation in Region XI is Php131, 600,000.00.
“Ang programang Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA IP-CDD, gi respeto ang among tribo pinaagi sa pag konsulta sa amoa. Gi himo ming kabahin sa implementasyon sa mga proyekto, ug gi respeto sa programa ang among kulturanhong katungod (The Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA IP-CDD respects our tribe by consulting us, involving us in project implementation. The program respects our cultural rights),” declared Datu Carlito Guinto Sr., Deputy Mayor of Matigsalug tribe in Marilog.
In Region XI, the reported population of Indigenous People in Kalahi-CIDSS IP-CDD areas is 234,902. This inclusive system of IP-CDD empowers the community to build more equity and ownership of the projects.
Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the programs of DSWD that uses the CDD approach to empower local communities to undertake their own development projects by actively and directly partaking in local governance in identifying their community needs as well as taking part in implementing projects that will address these needs.
The Kalahi-CIDSS IP-CDD targets to deliver basic services in IP communities by supporting the implementation of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Protection Plan (ADSDPP), strengthening partnership of local governance institutions and the Indigenous Political Structures (IPS), and building the communities’ resilience to conflict. (DSWD)