Philippines: EC-funded program grants farm equipment to IDPs in Sultan Kudarat

LAMBAYONG, SULTAN KUDARAT - Internally-displaced residents in a remote barangay here are starting to rebuild their lives through livelihood activities following a turn-over of projects by the European Commission-funded government program that currently steps up peace-building efforts in conflict-affected communities of Southern Philippines. Over 204 families in Sitios Datang, Panabungan and Taga in Barangay Tinumigues, town of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat are now benefiting from a P500,000 worth of farm equipment that include a small hand tractor, thresher and Kubota RK 105 tractor provided by the Government of the Philippines-United Nations Development Programme-European Commission Program on Rehabilitating Internally Displaced Persons and Communities in Southern Philippines (IDP Programme). "Nasiyahan ang mga farmers dito. Bawat isa sa amin may three hectares ng lupa pero carabao pa rin ang ginagamit namin sa ngayon. (The farmers here are overwhelmed. Each of us owns three hectares of farmland but we are still using carabaos for farming)" Rolly Alamada, member of the Sitio Panabungan Farmers' Association, said during a recent turnover ceremony held by IDP Programme, in coordination with the local government of Lambayong and the Social Action - Justice and Peace Center of the Archdiocese of Cotabato (SAJPC). Livelihood support forms part of the IDP Programme's principal activities designed to facilitate rehabilitation of internally displaced communities by increasing their participation in livelihood activities. "Magbibigay ng kabuhayan talaga ito lalung-lalo na ang thresher sapagkat malapit na ang harvest. Magiging instrumento ito ng kapayapaan dito (The farm equipment will really help provide livelihood for the people especially the thresher because it is harvest time soon. The equipment will really be an instrument for peace here)," Editha Ancheta, a Sanggunian Bayan member, said. Sporadic armed clashes in Sultan Kudarat in the past have once left the farms of Barangay Tinumigues unproductive, causing displacement among many residents. A major armed encounter in the area on February 2003 killed seven civilians and left thousands of families displaced. "We are now looking at achieving permanent peace in the communities here wherein people work together for the overall development of the area," said Fr. Benjamin Ariel Toretto, Director of SAJPC. Lambayong town is one of the priority areas for integrated rehabilitation component under the IDP programme which provides displaced families access to basic services and necessary support in promoting non-violence and peace-building. The IDP programme, in partnership with the efforts of SAJPC in the area, is currently facilitating the declaration of Brgy. Tinumigues as a sanctuary of peace. Since early this year, the programme has facilitated the return of 16,364 displaced families to their places of origin and provided special relief packages to 26,980 displaced families. Under its rehabilitation component, the IDP programme has already established community-level enterprises as well as provided various inputs, livestock and farm machineries to 32 rehabilitation sites. It has also built 332 core shelters, 37 water supply systems, 6 health centers and 101 sanitary toilets. Anchored on three major interventions such as relief assistance and building confidence; rehabilitation; and culture of peace and access to justice, the IDP programme aims for the rehabilitation and resettlement of at least 10,000 displaced families in 15 provinces of Southern Philippines.
MEDCo