AGUSAN DEL SUR– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducted the second special over the counter (OTC) pay-out to the members of Talaandig Tribe in Sitio Kinu-aw, Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur last March 27, 2017.

Conducted at the Public Market in Malaybalay City, about 33 Talaandig families received basic assistance from Department of Health-Caraga, PhilHealth-Caraga, Department of Education Agusan del Sur, and DSWD-Caraga.

Considered as one of the most challenging served tribes, the Talaandig of Sitio Kinu-aw has been kept from enjoying basic services brought about by distance, lack of road access, and tribal clan wars.

The Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (MCCT-IP in GIDAs) , being the primary government program under the DSWD as in-charge for this concern took notice and immediately extended some of the basic services of the Department.

Apart from the special OTC pay-out, some of the significant activities were as follows: (1) Verification of MCCT payroll vis a vis MCCT-IP oath of commitment; (2) Releasing of cash for work compensations; (3) Interview for PhilHealth enrollment; (4) Medical Consultation; (5) Distribution of dignity kits, mosquito nets, malong, blanket, water containers, medicines, (6) Distribution of grocery items, (7) Awarding of certificate of CSO accreditation, and (8) Turn-over of Livelihood Cheques.

After the OTC pay-out, a meaningful conversation was held to hear the issues and concerns of the tribe and to ensure the commitment of the agencies that attended the event. Some of the concerns raised were provision of education, delivery of medical services, and civil documents for PhilHealth registration.

OIC Regional Director Lim calls for an enormous support from various partner-agencies to extend services for the Talaandig of Sitio Kinu-aw.

“The DSWD regional office through the support of other government agencies will ensure that the services due to the Talaandig Tribe of Sitio Kinu-aw shall be delivered accordingly. Seeing that this tribe is vulnerable to shocks, convergence of efforts shall be made to sustain our little start,” Lim said.

As planned, the next coordination meeting is set to happen on the third week of April, this year(###RYAN MALBAS TAPAYAN/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)