Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro—The Human Chain Activity was a successful endeavor. Almost 2,500 people from different Mangyan Sub-Tribes, community volunteers, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, Kalahi CIDSS staff from Regional and National Program Management Office, Municipal Staff, civil society organizations, students, and people from the neighboring town of Sablayan have passed-on sacks of aggregates on the mountainous terrain of Sitio Nalwak to reach Sitio Bambanay.
The Human Chain Activity was organized by the Municipal Action Team of DSWD Magsaysay Occidental Mindoro together with the Local Government Unit for the benefit of the Mangyan communities in Sitio Bambanay. The goal of the activity is to deliver aggregates to be used for the construction of the foot trail Sub-Project identified by the IPs in Sitio Bambanay as their most pressing need. This will come in fruition through the “bayanihan” strategy where the people would line-up from Sitio Nalwak up to Sitio Bambanay and would pass sacks of aggregates The activity started from 5 in the morning until 11 in the morning.
The distance between Sitio Nalwak and Sitio Bambanay stretches around 2.7 km on a mountainous terrain. There were 20 stations wherein one station stretches to 135 meters.
The stations began at station zero (0) where pantawid women beneficiaries put aggregates in the sacks and pass it to people positioned at station zero (0) until it reached station twenty. The furthest that the aggregates reached int he half day activity was at station ten (10). However, Area coordinator Rosalie Frane said she is grateful that people have gathered to help to show their support to the IP community.
On the other hand, almost 80 individuals from the neighboring town of Sablayan headed by Hon. Eduardo Gadiano participated in the Human Chain Activity as they were transported by four large municipal trucks. Community Volunteers from Sablayan has expressed joy knowing they are able to help their co-volunteers
from Magsaysay. “Kahit nakakapagod ay masaya kami dahil nakatulong kami sa mga kapwa naming volunteer at sa mga kapatid naming Mangyan rin.” Said Dionisio Recente, a Kalahi CIDSS Voluteer from Sablayan.
Hon. Fajardo and Hon. Gadiano climbed the difficult terrain going to the Sitio Bambanay to personally see the situation of the IPs in the community. Hon. Gadiano then pledged to give solar panels to the community and Hon. Fajardo pledged to give a multi-cab emergency tricycle for easy transport of people and products.
The foot trail will respond to the main problems identified by the IPs which is transporting their sick to barangay proper and evacuation of the people during times of calamity.
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