Thirty Ata-Manobo youth students are have been extended the TATAG IP (Indigenous Peoples) Students Tourism Center at Purok 6A, Santo Niño, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.
Through the support of the TATAG IP Students Foundation (TIPSF) Incorporated, the said tourism center supports the educational requirements of 12 IP college and 18 IP high school students.
The support includes the day-to-day allowances and dormitory expenses of the IP students.
Majority of the students/beneficiaries belong to the IP group who previously sought refuge at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Center in Davao City.
Since 2015, the Haran Center inside the UCCP compound on Fr. Selga St. in Davao City has been serving as a temporary shelter for displaced IPs from various Davao Region provinces and other parts of Mindanao.
Some students are also from Cebu City and UP Diliman who were allegedly brought by progressive groups to different parts of the country.
Inaugurated on August 12, 2023, the center offers a 5-meter-wide and 25-meter-long swimming pool; a function hall that can accommodate 400 people; a restaurant that can cater to 200 guests; a souvenir shop with local craftsmanship; and five uniquely designed cottages named after Talaingod sitios – Sambulungan, Pongpong, Bagang, Peroy, and Nalubas. It is operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
In a statement, TIPSF cited Misiyang Dogiyon, a TATAG IP student, who said that no one finishes education in her community and that she’s the only one who reaches college.
“Noong wala pa ako sa foundation, mahirap talaga ang buhay namin. Nag-aaral ako, pero hindi iniisip na makapagtapos. Ang sa akin lang, matuto lang ako magbasa at magsulat. Kaya magsisikap ako makapagtapos kasi ako ang kanilang modelo. Ngayong tinulungan kami ng foundation, malaki na ang opportunity na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at nabigay lahat ng pangangailangan namin. Yung mga gamit na hindi pa namin alam tulad ng laptop, ay ibinigay sa amin,” she said.
The project was realized through the efforts of TIPSF Inc., the 56th Infantry (TATAG) Battalion under the 10th Infantry (AGILA) Division, and the 7th Air Reserve Center of the Philippine Air Force.
“Nagsupport mi (10ID) sa foundation sa ilang effort na matabangan ang mga IP students na gikan sa Haran,” said Captain Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson of 10ID.
In his message, 10ID Commander Major General Jose Eriel M. Niembra vowed to support the foundation and the IP students in achieving their dreams.
