TUNGAWAN,
Zamboanga Sibugay - No one would ever think that this man was willing to
share a big parcel of land that he owned.
Living
in a makeshift home plastered with cardboard boxes and cellophanes to protect
him from rains and the blazing heat of the sun with practically no walls and
ceilings, just a roof peppered with holes which would easily crumble with a
strong gust of wind, this man stands tall in the recent Bayani Challenge 2013
in this town.
Here
is a man bereft of the necessities in life and yet has a big heart for his
fellowmen.
Dandan
Banggi, 76 years old, who belong to the Kalibugan tribe have lived in Barangay Tigbanuang all his
life. A farmer with 3 kids who help him till the 5-hectare land that he owned,
efforts have been futile since the land was quite unproductive. So he thought
of selling a parcel of it.
Mayor
Randy A. Climaco told him about the Bayani Challenge 2013 project that will be
launched in their town, particularly in Barangay Tigbanuang. Instead of selling
a parcel of his land, the good mayor talked him into donating a portion to the
project, which would leave a great legacy to the people in his hometown. “This is an investment for
the future generation of Tungawan,” the mayor enlightened.
Punong
Barangay Karim Jalana, who happens to be Banggi’s nephew also persuaded him to
offer a piece of land for the project,
but not without opposition from Banggi’s children. It did not take much convincing
for Dandan Banggi to agree. So instead of selling a parcel of land to support
his family, he wholeheartedly donated 1.8 hectares to the Bayani Challenge
project.
”Money will
be easily spent and gone soon. It will be for the good of the people in our
community so I did not hesitate to do my part. At first, my children were
against it, but they could not do anything. This is my property and I choose to
donate a parcel to this good project,” Banggi explained.
Jalana
was so happy that of the 25 barangays, Tigbanuang was chosen as the pilot site for
the Bayani Challenge. “I thank Allah and the rganizers of this project. Little
by little, we have seen the realization of our dreams for barangay Tigbanuang
like roads, schools and health services. At present, we are number 8 among the
healthiest barangay,” he happily said in the vernacular.
“My
message is that, may there be more Dandan Banggi’s who will have the heart to
give and share their blessings to those who have lesser things in life,” Jalana
stated.
In
previous years, the said barangay was a critical area, feared by motorists,
commuters and local folks where killings, ambush, hold-ups and other crimes are
constant occurrences. But peace has finally come to this place with the help of
all sectors of the community; the local government unit, the PNP, AFP,
religious groups, civic organizations, academe, media, and the local populace.
And development has started taking place.
Dandan
and his son are among the beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga project, which
would provide a decent dwelling place and allow them to live in a community that cares for one
another.
Meanwhile, Director
General Jose Mari Oquinena of the Philippine Information Agency and
Undersecretary for Special Concerns during the Bayani Challenge 2013 launching
in Tungawan said the site could have
fetched a very good price since it is strategically located along the highway
and overlooking the deep blue seas and the verdant mountains.
Indeed this
is a very touching story of how a man who practically had nothing, would give
everything for the common good of all. And how Christians, Muslims and Lumads
could live together in a peaceful community, caring for one another.
(ALT/GCC/PIA9)