The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) cluster, distributed on Monday (July 8)  livelihood assistance to a group of indigenous peoples in the province of Bukidnon.

DSWD Undersecretary for ISPSC Alan Tanjusay led the handover of a check to 30 officers and members of the Luyungan Kauyagan ZH Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Association.

“The DSWD’s SLP provided a seed capital worth Php450,000 to help the members of the Higaunon, Talaandig, Umayamnon and Matigsalog tribes in Bukidnon to venture into chicken and egg production, utilizing their experience in livestock and farming,” Undersecretary Tanjusay explained.

The members were former recruits of rebel groups who recently surrendered to the local government and to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  while some escaped from their village and avoided recruitment. Others were displaced by armed conflicts and extreme poverty.

Prior to the handover of assistance at the Luyungan Indigenous Peoples School in Barangay Bangcud, Malaybalay City, the DSWD Field Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) conducted social preparation and administered capacity building and training to the tribe members.

The tribe members were also given trainings on organization development, leadership, micro-enterprise development, and financial literacy.

Also present in the turn over ceremony were DSWD Assistant Secretary for ISPSC Arnel Garcia, Northern Mindanao Regional Director Ramel Jamen and other Field Office 10 personnel.

The DSWD officials and field office staff also held a courtesy visit to Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Roque and Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores to strengthen the provision of social protection services and programs to the people of the province, including former rebels and IP groups. #