Malate, Manila –Over 10,000 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from 58 municipalities across MiMaRoPa participated in the recently concluded “Family Camp”, a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-initiated activity that promotes family development and camaraderie.
The simultaneously conducted event included an in-depth discussion on responsible parenthood and children’s rights. The discussions aim to shape the knowledge and know-how of the participants to better improve their familial and societal relationships.
“Gusto nating bigyang importansiya ang pagpapatatag ng relasyon ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya sa kabuuan ng pagbabago sa isang komunidad,” said Regional Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Focal Maricel Magcamit. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) capacitates the basic unit of society to help attain holistic development to support societal transformation.
One IP community from Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in each municipality was chosen. GIDAs are hard-to-reach areas where most services are inaccessible and where most of the IP communities reside. “Naniniwala tayo na sa pamamagitan ng mga gawain na ito ay mapapakita natin lalo na sa mga kababayan nating katutubo na kabilang sila sa mga nais abutin at layuning bigyang-tulong ng DSWD,” said Regional Program Coordinator Vincent Dominic Obcena.
In the municipality of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro, Tribal Chieftain Larry Camalig of Sitio Arigoy, Brangay Calangatan said in his opening remarks, “Maganda ang programa (Pantawid Pamilya) ninyo kasi narating ninyo kami dito sa aming lugar at nakikita naming inaabot ninyo kami.”
To create a more learning-conducive environment, workshops that included games that allow for fun learning and discussions. “We devised workshops that do not simply follow a lecture type of discussions, but with fun games as well. This is to have a more interactive and entertaining learning activities for the participants,” said Maricel Magcamit.
The family camps were conducted in selected municipalities of Palawan, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro and Romblon. ###
