President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to give P100 million in livelihood assistance to tribal communities in Mindanao as part of his commitment to help indigenous peoples there.
Duterte made the announcement during the 16th founding anniversary of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development Inc. at the 3rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Davao City.
“I will help you survive, but you have to start now. I will give you assistance to cultivate your lands,” the President said.
He also pledged to provide the Lumad with tractors and seedlings for farming and told them to take good care of the equipment.
“By taking care of your equipment it will function as it was intended to and last longer,” he said.
The President also asked the Lumad to stop supporting the New People’s Army.
During the event, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairman Eduardo del Rosario presented 35 former NPA rebels, 26 of them surrendering at least 29 firearms.
Ten of them were members of the dreaded NPA Sparrow Unit, and 16 were actively operating in the provinces of Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, North Cotabato and Davao del Norte.
Nine NPA rebels surrendered without firearms.
Meanwhile, the President led the handover of 17 emergency vehicles to 15 local government units in Mindanao.
Duterte also witnessed the blessing of a rescue truck, two pumper trucks, and 14 ambulance units donated by the Japanese government.