People are now happy with the transformation in their community. From the insurgency-infested barangays, where they had to give money and agricultural produce to the terrorists, to now savoring a peaceful and well-developed village.

The government’s effort to bring in various social services and infrastructure development in the then insurgency-affected community has also made a significant difference in the lives of the people as they become empowered citizens who are vigilant to ensure that peace and development is maintained in their area.

Alcala admitted that during the height of the insurgency in the province, he and other farmers in their community were giving their produce and hard-earned money to the communist movement.

“Usahay, mohangyo nalang jud ka kung gipit (Sometimes, you just have to bargain when things are scarce),” he recalled.

Aside from the revolutionary tax, Alcala said that farmers could not grow or develop when the NPA was still strong in their community since no other businesses were allowed to enter the area.

“Now, mas dali makaabot sa amoa ang makakuha og fertilizers ug naa nay daghang market sa among produkto (Now, fertilizers can easily be accessed and there are more markets for our products),” he said.

Livelihood from DSWD

Since the declaration of an insurgency-free province, various government agencies have poured in their programs and projects in Davao de Oro.

Among the government interventions was the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In September, Barangay Osmeña EO 70 Sustainable Livelihood Program Association received P300,000 from DSWD as seed capital for their livelihood project.

The 21 members of the association decided to utilize the fund to buy and sell corn from local farmers.

Alcala revealed that they purchased corncobs and dried corns higher by an average price of P1.00 per kilo compared to other buyers in their locality.

Their association buys corn cobs at P7.30 per kilo and dried corn at P15.30 – P15.50 per kilo, while other buyers procure corn cobs at P6.30 per kilo, and dried corn at P14.30 per kilo.

SLP in Davao de Oro

On October 3, DSWD XI formally distributed a total of P13.5 million worth of SLP to Barangay Osmeña EO70 SLP Association and other 44 people’s organizations (PO) or groups of former NPA supporters in Davao de Oro.

Each organization got P300,000 seed capital for their chosen livelihood projects, such as general merchandise, agrivet supply, poultry or hog production, rice retailing, and water refilling.

Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga stressed that the program is a manifestation that the government is working and reaching out to its people, especially those in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas.

Gonzaga urged the beneficiaries to utilize government assistance efficiently and strive to develop it for the betterment of the associations’ members.

“Kung naa na tay ginansiya ana, pwede napud nato na ilihis og laing pang negosyo (If we have profit on this, we can diverse to other businesses also),” she said

The governor also encouraged the members of the people’s organizations to help the government by expressing ways to also improve the lives of the people in their community, “kay andam kaayo ang kapitolyo, ang kapulisan, ang sundalo, ang DSWD nga motabangan sa tanang nanoktok kay nanginahanglan sa pagpangga sa gobyerno (because the capitol, police, army, DSWD are ready to help those who need the care of the government).”

To date, 88 EO 70 SLP associations from 2020 to 2023 received livelihood assistance from DSWD. (MLU/PIA Davao de Oro)