MAWAB, Davao De Oro – A total of P5 Million pesos worth of farm tools and farm inputs were handed over to three (3) Peoples’ Organizations (POs) in a turn-over ceremony spearheaded by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao del Sur held at Brgy. Colonsabac and Brgy. Asbang, both in the municipality of Matanao, Davao del Sur on September 20, 2022.

The Colonsabac Lumad Farmer’s Association (COLUFA) and Datal Fitak Libon Association (DALIA) both received P1.5 Million pesos each while the Asbang Lumad Farmers Association (ASLUFA) received P2 Million pesos worth of farm implements and starter kits from the P40 Million fund allocated for the said barangays. In addition, the said POs are composed mostly of Indigenous People from the B’laan Tribe and former members of the Underground Mass Organizations of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

Likewise, the P40 Million fund is from the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict. Both areas were former Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) influenced barangays, but were cleared after the successful conduct of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) of the 39th Infantry Battalion under the 10th Infantry Division. Moreover, the remaining amount is for road concreting and other infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, 10ID Commander MGen Nolasco A Mempin lauded both PLGU Davao del Sur and LGU Matanao for their continuous efforts in delivering basic social services to recently cleared areas that were former guerilla bases. He also commended the 39IB for maintaining the peace and order situation, especially in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas in the said municipality.