Five upland tribes will benefit from one of Davao City Government’s priority programs under poverty alleviation.
Guesting during the bizforum at DermPath SM City Davao on Wednesday, City Planning and Development Office head Ivan Cortez said the program, dubbed “Sustainable Reforestation Program for Upland Tribes” will benefit tribes of Matigsalog, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Ata, Obo-Manobo, and Bagobo-Klata.
“Each will be given P5 million so a total of P25 million,” said Cortez.
According to the CPDO head, the hybrid reforestation program will use fruit bearing trees and that will provide them food and means of livelihood.
He added, without bias to industrial tree planting, those who opt for those types of trees may go for it since there is also a demand for timber in the market.
More importantly, Cortez pointed out Davao City’s risk for flooding which could be alleviated by the program.
“Our concern is every year we have a reforestation program, why not utilize the people living there in the uplands?” he said.
Other livelihood activities will be introduced while waiting for the trees to produce fruits in commercial quantity, Cortez added.
The two-year Sustainable Reforestation Program for Upland Tribes will be implemented by City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and City Agriculturist Office with the support of City Social Services Development Office (CSSDO) in coordination with the tribal leaders.
Poverty alleviation is one of the key priority areas under the mayor’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, alongside infrastructure development, solid waste management, health, education, agriculture, tourism, transportation planning and traffic management, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation.
Programs and projects under poverty alleviation highlight social protection of vulnerable sectors, emphasis on access to opportunities, and strengthen responsible parenthood or family planning programs.
