Some 100 families belonging to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are beneficiaries of the housing units provided by the government through the effort of North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Catamco said the beneficiaries of the housing project are T’boli and Blaan tribespeople in Barangay Bacung, Tulunan, North Cotabato whose homes were damaged by the series of earthquakes last year.

She lauded the cooperation of Tulunan Mayor Reuel Limbungan, Vice Mayor Maureen Villamor, and members of the town council and village officials for the realization of the project.

“Leadership is not about competition, we need to help each other, support each other and be an inspiration to others so we can reach our common goals, here the housing for our IPs,” Catamco, a member of Manobo tribe in North Cotabato, said in her speech Tuesday in the village.

Gaudencio Ogit Jr, president of the IPs in Barangay Bacung and one of the housing beneficiaries, said they appreciated the efforts of the governor, the town officials, and the NHA for giving them “decent homes” for their families.

“I could hardly find words to describe how happy we are, now we can say that the government also cares for us people in the mountain,” he said.

Bacung Barangay Chairman Victor Acac said he was hoping more housing units will rise in the village as there are still IPs whose houses were damaged.

Meanwhile, Catamco said she will facilitate the construction of farm to market roads from the IP village so they can bring their agricultural produce quickly to the town market.

Catamco also distributed to the IP farmers planting materials and fertilizers for farmers under the IP Special Program of her administration. She vowed to increase the frequency of visits and bring the provincial government services to the village. (PNA)