Pinamalayan, Occidental Mindoro – The Pinamalayan Convergence Team composed of the different field staff from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program for IP, and Sustainable Livelihood Program Staff  of the Department of Welfare and Development Field Office MIMAROPA  celebrated the Indigenous Peoples Month through an outreach program as their Convergence Initiative held in Sitio Kabanaw, Brgy. Marayos, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro on October 26, 2018.

The team tapped possible agencies and individuals to gather donations to be brought to farthest part of the mountain where the small tribe can be found. Many helping hands extended their help which made the convergence initiative possible.

The day started early for the team as they had reached Brgy. Marayos six in the morning as they look forward for what lies ahead in the community to be visited. They spent almost two hours of walking and trekking on the muddy and steep road before reaching their target area.

It was exactly 8:00 AM when they reached the Kabanaw IP community. They were welcomed with greetings and innocent smiles of the children which were already waiting for them.

As soon as the group reached the community, the barangay captain together with the tribal leader and other volunteers started calling all of the residents to formally start the program and welcome the team. The barangay captain rendered the welcome remarks and appreciated the efforts of the team for initiating such activity for the indigenous people. Brief discussion on Disaster Preparedness was being discussed by Municipal Link Regina Dela Pena and ways on how to properly plant different vegetables was shared by Sustainable Livelihood Program PDO-II Mark Gil Aban.

Profiling of Households was conducted by Municipal Links Rhonalee Carle, Mylene Espino and Jennifer Galan, Social Welfare Assistant John Paolo Mendoza and Municipal Roving Book Keeper Verna Divina. The compiled Household Profiling will be sent to possible partners for further interventions needed by the community.

While the parents are busy in the conduct of the interview for household profiling, Municipal Links Regina Dela Pena, Melani Joy Tabernero, SLP PDO-II Geanie Goco, Mark Aban, Carlo Marasigan and MCCT PDO-II Haniely Rey facilitated the parlor games with the IP children.

The donations collected by the team were distributed after the conduct of the discussion and were also used as prizes for the winning teams of the games.

True to its objectives, the activity was able to provide knowledge to the IP beneficiaries on the program’s processes and other topics which can help them in uplifting their lives. It also provided an avenue to the beneficiaries to break away from their normal routine from working in the fields and provide them supplies and materials which they can use.

At the end of the activity, the IP beneficiaries of Sitio Kabanaw bid farewell to the team and to the volunteers who participated the event with smile on their faces signifying the success of the convergence initiative. ###

 

Submitted by: Pinamalayan Convergence Team