Through the years, Mangyan communities, despite preserving ancestral lands, and rich cultural heritage and customs, are still facing socio-economic challenges, particularly, poverty, unprocurable education, limited healthcare, and intrusion into their inherited lands. Thus, outright support from the government and non-governmental organizations is what this tribe needs. Police Regional Office MIMAROPA consistently monitors places where all these Mangyan tribes are located, and subsequently conducts community engagement programs that are particularly beneficial to the said indigenous peoples.
Spearheaded by Police Brigadier General Roger L. Quesada, Regional Director, through the office of the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division (RCADD) headed by PLtCol Emerson A. Tarac, Deputy Chief; and in partnership with the PNP-Officers’ Ladies Club (OLC) MIMAROPA Chapter led by Dr. Marlita E. Quesada; PCol Samuel S. Delorino, Provincial Director, Oriental Mindoro PPO; the Local Government Unit of Pola headed by Hon. Jennifer M. Cruz, Municipal Mayor; and PSA Oriental Mindoro Office, other stakeholders and force multipliers, provided the basic government services for the members of the Tadyawan Mangyan tribe in Barangay Pahilahan in Pola, Oriental Mindoro on April 5, 2024.
BBM, standing for (Biyayang Bigay ni Marcos) para sa mga Kapatid na Mangyan program aims to uphold community engagement with the Mangyan tribe in the area through support on basic needs, livelihood projects, educational programs, healthcare assistance, and advocacy for their rights and welfare. Said program emphasizes the delivery of basic government services, which include medical and dental consultations by the Regional Medical and Dental Unit MIMAROPA; the Birth Certificate Registration Assistance Project (BRAP) by the Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar; the PhilSys National ID Registration and Information Drive by the PSA Oriental Mindoro; a feeding program and the distribution of food packs, slippers, and preloved clothes.
The successful event was executed through the support of and collaboration with the different government agencies, stakeholders, and regional support units of the organization, benefiting around 60 families of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), thus, creating a positive perception in favor of the government and the organization.
“Sama-sama natin iangat ang antas ng tiwala ng mamamayan sa gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng ating nagkakaisa at tapat na paglilingkod para sa mas ligtas at payapang komunidad, lahat po ng ito tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Dr. Marlita E. Quesada highlighted in her speech.
Truly, this event embodies the core of the organization in fostering trust and rapport in the community towards a new and strengthened society, bringing about a “Bagong Pilipinas” which serves as a bright hope for every Filipino.
