by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, JAN. 11 (PIA)--- More than 2,000 indigenous peoples have benefitted from the various programs implemented by the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte in 2011.
Based on its Accomplishment Report for 2011 to Governor Rolando E. Yebes, the Provincial Indigenous People’s Coordination Unit Coordinator (PIPCU), Bai Cristina Andus said, 2,766 Subanen couples have availed of the Kasalan ng Bayan, while 2,057 children were registered and were given Live Birth Certificates by the different Municipal Civil Registrars in the province.
According to the report, the Indigenous People’s Council have also availed of the livelihood programs implemented by the Provincial Government in the municipalities of Jose Dalman, Sindangan and Siayan through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
34 barangays in Siayan and Sindangan have registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), while 53 other barangays in Salug, Sergio Osmeña and Jose Dalman have been organized to avail of the various programs of the government.
Hundreds of students have availed of the scholarship program of the Provincial Government through the Youth Enhancement Support (YES) and the summer job assisted by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
It maybe recalled that Gov. Yebes has created the PIPCU to address the needs of the Subanens and to preserve its culture in the province.
The successful implementation of the Provincial Government of the programs for the Indigenous Peoples was considered as a major factor of the award given to Gov. Yebes as Gawad Galing Pook winner under the category of Subanen Empowerment. (ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
