Duterte vows livelihood aid for IPs

FILE: Indigenous Peoples (IPs) will soon be provided with seedlings and tractors after President Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed to give them livelihood assistance. (PCOO Photo)

MANILA — Indigenous Peoples (IPs) will soon be provided with seedlings and tractors after President Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed to give them livelihood assistance.

Duterte made this pledge during the 16th founding anniversary of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development, Inc. (STCPDI) at the 3rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Calinan, Davao City on Friday.

“I will help you survive, but you have to start now. I will give you assistance to cultivate your lands,” Duterte said in Cebuano.

Duterte, meanwhile, urged the IPs to take good care of the equipment.

“By taking care of your equipment it will function as it was intended to and last longer,” he added.

In February, Duterte said the government would shell out PHP100 million to tribal communities in Mindanao.

He asked the Lumads to stop supporting the New People’s Army (NPA).

During the event, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Eduardo del Rosario presented 35 former members of the NPA.

A total of firearms were surrendered by 26 rebel returnees.