Around 500 indigenous peoples (IPs) belonging to the Dumagat tribe participated in the Family Camp for the beneficiaries of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for IPs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The said camp was conducted from December 16-18, 2015 in Tanay Adventure Camp in Tanay, Rizal Province.
The MCCT for IPs is a modification of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that is designed to reach out families who are not covered by the regular Pantawid Pamilya program because of their being excluded from the Listahanan database of poor households based on the assessment conducted in 2009.
In the CALABARZON Region, the MCCT targets itinerant IPs such as the Sama-Bajau and the IPs in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas such as the Dumagat in the far-flung areas of Antipolo City, Tanay and Rodriguez in Rizal Province.
The Family Camp for the beneficiaries is part of the support services and interventions of the DSWD to help strengthen relationships among IP families.
During the camp, various activities were conducted including sessions on the Indigenous People’s Rights Act, gender sensitivity, family roles and character building among others.
Thankful for the experience
Participants to the camp were grateful for the experience provided to them as participants of the Family Camp.
“Marami kaming natutunan dito tungkol sa tamang pagpapamilya at sa pagkakapantay-pantay ng babae at lalaki. P’wede kaming magtulungang mag-asawa sa iba’t ibang gawain sa aming pamilya,” shared Roberto Dela Cruz, 54, a Dumagat from Brgy. Sta. Ines in Tanay town.
Merlinda Ramos, 35, a beneficiary from Brgy. Puray in Rodriguez, shared how grateful she is for the opportunity to attend the camp.
“Masaya dito at marami kaming nakikilala. Dito na rin kami nagkita-kita ng mga kamag-anak naming katutubo na malayo sa amin ang tirahan,” said Ramos.
Besides discussions on various topics, other activities during the camp include outdoor teambuilding activities and dance therapy, story-telling and artwork sessions for children.
Committed to dream, change their lives
The Dumagat-beneficiaries of the MCCT are also thankful for the support being provided to them by the government.
“Marami kaming natututunan tungkol sa aming mga karapatan at sa tamang pagpapalaki ng mga bata sa pagdalo namin sa mga patawag (referring to Family Development Sessions),” shared Angelita Reyes, 54, a resident of Brgy. Sta. Ines in Tanay.
Lea Dela Cruz, 15, a child-beneficiary from Brgy. Sta Ines, said that the children in their community are now inspired to go to school.
“Nagsisikap po kaming mag-aral para hindi na kahirapan ang aming maranasan. Gusto kong patunayan sa iba na kahit katutubo kami, may mga pangarap rin kami na aming matutupad sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral nang mabuti,” she said.
To date, there are a total of 356 Dumagat families who are beneficiaries of the MCCT for IPs in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in Rizal Province.#