With a clear understanding of the grave importance of sustaining the gains of peace in Davao Oriental through various sustainable development initiatives, Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr. led the soft opening of the “bansohan” livelihood project of the Davao Oriental Former Rebels Association (DOFRA) Banaybanay Chapter on January 8, at Sitio San Jose, Barangay Panikian, Banaybanay. After Sangab in Caraga, Tubaon in Tarragona, and Sanghay in Mati City, this is already the fourth association and the first for this year that Governor Uy has firmly pushed to build an enterprise initiative. Additional ones are anticipated to be pursued throughout the province including another one this coming week in Mati City.
Through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD Program of the Department of Labor and Employmen (DOLE), the Provincial Government has turned over a total of P300,000.00 to DOFRA-Banaybanay to support their cocolumber and gmelina “bansohan” or sawmill livelihood project. The Local Government Unit of Banaybanay, also committed to supporting the initiative, has provided additional counterpart funds. Additionally, the governor contributed additional amount to help finish the association’s area of operation.
DOFRA Federated President Dominador Estrera declared with enthusiasm how glad DOFRA Banaybanay members are of the project’s realization, saying that after a long while, it has finally come into fruition and was ultimately made possible by the governor’s formidable leadership and support.
The same sentiment of gratitude was voiced by 66th Infantry ‘Kabalikat’ Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Michael G. Yuson who emphasized the governor’s unprecedented dedication to former rebels’ associations, not only in Banaybanay but throughout the province. He credited Governor Uy for initiating support and attention, without which, the national government agencies’ support might not have materialized.
“Sa pamumuno ni Governor Uy, first time ito na andaming nang pangako pero nung umupo si Governor, na hindi naman niya inaasahan na uupo siya as Governor, nabigyan niya ng pansin ang mga former rebels association natin, hindi lang ang Banaybanay kundi ang buong probinsya natin. Kung hindi nagpursige si Governor Uy, wala ring support na mangyayari galing sa national government agencies,” Colonel Yuson declared, noting the admirable governance of the current chief executive of the province.
Likewise, Governor Uy expressed his great delight that the enterprise project for DOFRA Banaybanay has finally commenced highlighting its significance, along with other initiatives in sustaining the insurgency-free status of Davao Oriental by providing sustainable livelihoods for former rebels who have chosen to embrace the folds of law and return to mainstream society.
“Dako kayo nakong kalipay nga nakita nato ang bunga sa atong pagpaningkamot. Nakita nato ang bunga sa atong partnership. Ang pinakaimoportante niani nga kung unsaon pud nato pag-sustain. Importante nga ma-sustain nato ang atong estado as insurgency-free. Kay sa naingon pa sa atong kasundaluhan ug kapulisan, mas lisod ang atong estado karon sa pag-sustain,” Governor Uy remarked prominently stressing the significance of sustaining peace gains in the province.
“Dili lang kani ang intervention sa gobyerno, daghan pa ang musunod. But of course we have to do our share, we’ll have to do our part para makita nila nga kini nakahatag gyud og kabag-uhan ug impact sa katawhan,” the governor added.
It is also worth noting that during Davao Oriental’s Insurgency-free first-year anniversary celebration last September 2023, the Provincial Government, in collaboration with DOLE and DSWD, has also turned over financial and livelihood assistance to all DOFRA members and people’s organizations whose members were once affected by violence brought on by the decades-old insurgency. More than 10 million pesos assistance were given to the project recipients which was objectively aimed to provide much-needed support to boost the livelihood of the local communities and inspire them to build a more sustainable future for Davao Oriental. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos by JB Rain
