𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

Only a few Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) are left to be established with a DepEd school according to Governor Tyron Uy during his message on the turn-over ceremony of the newly constructed one (1) unit, two (2) classroom buildings at Sitio Tagbawi, Brgy. Rizal, Monkayo, Davao de Oro on March 16, 2022.

The deterioration of red strongholds in the province is instrumental for government interventions to reach even the farthest corners of the valleys. From farm-to-market roads, health centers, water systems, sitio electrification, solar dryers, daycare centers, and integrated schools accredited by DepEd, government services now provide ease for the uplands.

Barely after a month of “Bayanihan” construction, the newly constructed building with complete amenities from school chairs, tables, boards, and comfort rooms can readily be used by two more neighboring sitios of Tagbawi; Sitio Little Depot and Upper Pasian.

Traversing the kilometers-long path down to the barangay proper of Rizal will no longer be a burden for the children as the school was now accessible and only a few meters away from their homes.

Sitio Tagbawi was once a guerilla-infested sitio in Brgy. Rizal, and in the year 2017, the community fully withdrew from supporting the communist group and became a beneficiary of the Oplan Pagbabago Program of the provincial government of Davao de Oro. 

Further, a Solar Dryer project of the provincial government can now be used by the residents as a pavement for drying farm produce such as corn and coffee. The project was funded by the development fund of the province, and it's multi-purpose. A road-concreting project is also underway in Tagbawi. In no time, Tagbawi can be a whole new Sitio like no other.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Governor Tyron Uy, Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, Congressman Manuel Zamora, LTC Michael Aquino of the 25th Infantry Battalion, Rommel Jandayan OIC-SDS DepEd DdO, SGOD Ruben Reponte, Barangay Functionaries of Rizal, teachers, and staff of Rizal Memorial Elementary School, and Provincial employees. (JA, PAO-IPRD, photos by J. Cadiz)

𝐁𝐃𝐏 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬

The newly constructed development projects worth PhP20-M opened more opportunities to the residents of Barangay Bagong Silang and Coronobe in the municipality of Maragusan following the separate turn-over ceremony on March 10, 2022. 

These projects include concreting of farm-to-market roads, solar street lights, and the construction of a school building with three (3) classrooms funded under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy congratulated the residents and said that the high-impact projects will provide better economic opportunities, and contribute significant mechanisms in achieving the goal for quality education for all learners. 

He also commended the collective efforts of the national and local government agencies as well as the troops of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police for their unending support to end the insurgency. 

Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola gave thanks for bringing the government projects to the upland barangays as it drastically changed the lives of the people in the area. 

“The residents could now safely travel at night because of the solar street lights and have better access roads in transporting their farm produce to the town proper", Vendiola said. 

She also added that the school building is expected to benefit hundreds of students once face-to-face classes resume.

The BDP is a hallmark program of the NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of empowering former conflict-prone communities through development projects. In Davao de Oro, sixty-five (65) barangays have benefited from the aforementioned program which consists of infrastructure and livelihood projects.

Gracing the ceremony were Vice Mayor Cesar C. Colina, LTC Julius M Munar, Battalion Commander of 66th IB, RPSB Team Leader PMSg Leonilo B Vicere, and municipal and barangay officials. (Rheafe Hortizano -Provincial Information Office, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)