CAMIGUIN, Feb. 3 (PIA)--Considering education as the key to end local communist armed conflict in their area, the Municipal Government of T'Boli, South Cotabato provides assistance to 24,000 students in the area including elementary, high school and college students.
"Isa 'yun sa mga flagship program 'yung tinatawag nating (This is one of the flagship programs that we call) Dunong ay Susi sa Tagumpay," T'boli, South Cotabato Mayor Dibu Tuan said during the Network Briefing News with Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, February 3.
The local government has allocated P11.3 million to cover the miscellaneous fee of the said students, which includes a P3 million budget for deserving college students.
"Every year, meron po kaming 70 to 80 professional indigenous people (IPs) na gumagraduate dahil sa programang ito (we have 70 to 80 professional IPs who graduate from this program)," Tuan added.
The mayor said the initiative is part of the town's implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict noting that about 90 percent of the rebel groups’ recruits are IPs.
The educational assistance is in addition to the local government's construction of road linkages, water systems, solar lights, and school extensions.
Also, through their Sitio Empowerment Program, they are aiming to provide direct assistance to the 200 sitios in the area.
From the mayor, the assistance or service of the government will be directly provided to the sitios. The LGU personnel stay in the sitios for three to four days just to give immediate services, the mayor added.
"Ang pangarap ko po ang sana magkaroon ng isang professional sa bawat pamilya ng T'boli. Kahit isang profesisonal na T'boli at maintindihan ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon," Tuad said.
(My dream is for every T'boli family to have at least one professional family member. Just one professional member who can understand the importance of education)
Tuan added that their dream of becoming a component city will not be possible without education. Thus, the LGU's effort in giving financial assistance to students especially the IPs. (RTP/PIA10)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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