Center for Lumad launched in ComVal
A transformational center for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) was launched on November 28, 2019 at Prk 7 – IP Tribal Village, Brgy. Prosperidad, Montevista in Compostela Valley Province.
The facility, dubbed as “AGAK (Amoma ug Giya Alang sa Kahamugaway/ Care for and Guide to Stable and Comfortable Life) Center” is a product of the convergent efforts of the private companies namely LEADTECH Inc. and Hijo Resources Corp., members of the Regional Task Force 11- Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Local Government Units (LGUs).
The center is aims to help uplift the lives of the IP communities through various interventions from both government and private sectors such as access to electricity to support communication and economic activities, access to an online selling platform and online banking, provide appropriate post-harvest facilities to increase productivity and product value, achieve sustainability by providing appropriate trainings and regular coaching and mentoring, and capacitating the indigenous communities to become globally competitive agri-preneurs.
Engr. Reyman Zamora of LEADTECH Inc., one of the initiators of the project said the center seeks to provide electricity, connectivity, productivity, mobility, and sustainability to link IPs to global opportunities.
“All members of the PRLEC are engaged in this project. As we go along, other agencies will also be helping. The national government will be closely supporting and pour out resources in order to sustain this,” National PRLEC Chairperson and TESDA Director General, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, Ph.D., CSEE said.
The Director General also stressed that TESDA will be providing agriculture and construction-related skills training programs to the beneficiaries to give them employment and livelihood opportunities while other government agencies will also be extending other forms of assistance.
“Let us all help each other for this to be successful for you and your families,” the TESDA Chief added.
Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy expressed his gratitude to Secretary Lapeña for approving and adopting the project.
“Once this will be realized this will be of great benefit to the beneficiaries,” Uy said pointing out that this will help improve the farming industry of the IP community.
Part of the launching was the signing of the pledge of support of the guests, representatives of various agencies and beneficiaries.
The said facility is the second AGAK Center launched in Davao Region, the other one is situated in Sitio Igang, Talaingod. It is eyed that the same facility will be built to other provinces in the region as well.
