Haggai, IBDF working for peace and development

By April Jane Cagas Ugsad

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 1, 2014) - The Integrated Barangay Defense Force (IBDF) and Haggai for Peace project under Sulong Sarangani flagship program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon are continuously visiting barangays in the province for peace and development convergence, along with the Madaris/Kalinaw program.

Haggai is providing culture of peace and values formation seminar giving emphasis on relationship, communication and conflict management within family and community members.

Haggai project manager, Pastor Jonathan Sinfuego, said “kailangan maayos ang pamatasan sa usa ka tao. Kay nagatuo kami nga ang pamatasan ang sinugdanan para may kausaban ang kinabuhi sa usa ka tao ug sa pagdumala niya sa iyang pamilya og sa iyang pakiglambigit sa iyang katilingban."

Haggai seminars last for three days in each community, usually in the indigenous communities in the hinterlands, and to be revisited/evaluated after three months.

Haggai team has already reached a number of remote barangays, and favorably receiving positive feedbacks from the residents as Haggai serves as channel of their concerns to the provincial government. Haggai seminar participants believe they can be good peace advocators.

In a testimony, Barangay Kagawad Edie Fiel of Brgy. Amsipit Maasim appreciated the province’s leadership. "Proud mi kay Gov. Solon sa ani na programa. Hinaot mapadayon kini para makab-ot gyud ang tinuod nga kalinaw sa Sarangani."

On the other hand, many barangays have already been organized by IBDF. IBDF gathers and composes volunteers to receive training and seminars on capacity skill development that they can surely use during natural and man-made disasters, in partnership with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and law enforcement agencies. They perform as auxiliaries helping the responders in the barangay and even in the municipality during calamities.

IBDF project in-charge Brandon Maybuena shared an instance where IBDF members were the ones who responded to an accident.

"Ang mga members sa IBDF ang nag-respond pagkakita nila sa nagkalayo nga barko nagbangga-anay sa dagat. Naka-respond dayon sila kay naka-impart ta og skills sa ilaha," Maybuena said.

IBDF was created in 2008 after rogue forces invaded parts of MAKIMA (Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum) towns. 

To be real partners of development, livelihood training and assistance are given to IBDF members, like animal dispersal, dressmaking, and fishing livelihood. Haggai communities receive projects/assistance from the provincial government.

Haggai and IBDF will not reach their stretch without the help of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, private sector donors, and national officials and other agencies.  

Both programs will continue to roam around the province to achieve a peaceful and God-centered prosperous community as envisioned by Governor Solon and the rest of the officials. (April Jane Cagas Ugsad/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)