The Department of Agriculture (DA)-XI and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-XI together with the Monkayo LGU have released the wages for the 186 farmer-beneficiaries of the Cash-for-Work Program in Brgy. Salvacion, Monkayo, Davao de Oro, on December 16, 2020.

The Cash-for-Work Program is a joint initiative by DA-XI and DSWD-XI which aims to provide sustainable livelihood for the farmer-beneficiaries.

In Monkayo, the Mandaya Tribe Natural Farmers Association headed by Rosalinda McDowell is the identified beneficiary of the program, and each of the 186 beneficiaries received P2,970 from DSWD-XI after planting the materials that they received from DA-XI.

Ryan A. Sisneros, Agriculturist II of Monkayo said that this program will greatly benefit the indigenous community in Brgy. Salvacion since farming will help generate income for them, and make use of unutilized land at the same time. He also mentioned that the Monkayo LGU has provided training to help the farmers under the program.

“Director Ricardo M. Oñate’s personal visits to the area, particularly here in Salvacion, has really helped in the implementation of this project,” Sisneros said.

“I urge the beneficiaries to be active, to participate, and to take care of projects like this, so that the partner agencies will see the fruit of their labor and will not hesitate to help them again in the future,” Sisneros added.

Rosalinda McDowell of the Mandaya Tribe Natural Farmers Association also called the project a ‘great blessing’ for their association, since it will help provide livelihood for their members. The association is also a beneficiary of End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), since they have New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees.

“It’s hard for them to get hired, as most haven’t finished formal education. Through this project, our members can stay here and still earn,” McDowell said. She also revealed that their main goal is to establish a model farm, where they can showcase the hard work of the tribes working on the farm.

“This is to empower our tribes to be able to develop their ancestral domain, instead of land being a battleground between the AFP and NPA because this is the reality here,” McDowell added.

She also expressed her gratitude to DA-XI for helping the association develop their mission and vision, which is to create industries through agriculture, which will help provide jobs and elevate the lives of the people, especially the tribal communities.

“I thank Director Ricardo M. Oñate for opening this door for the people. After so many generations, they have finally received the help that they need from the government. Even if they have been exposed to the wrong ideologies, they will embrace programs like this,” McDowell added.

DA-XI Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate expressed his gratitude to the Monkayo LGU and also the Mandaya Tribe Natural Farmers Association for their assistance and cooperation.