News Details

A Bridge of Hope: A Journey of “Hatid Serbisyo para sa Katutubong Mangyan” in Sitio Bayang

With an estimated 500 Mangyan beneficiaries from Sitio Bayang and nearby communities, the “Hatid Serbisyo para sa Katutubo" extension service caravan provided a variety of essential services addressed immediate and long term needs of the Mangyan beneficiaries.

The journey to Sitio Bayang in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, is not for the faint of heart. The "Hatid Serbisyo para sa Katutubo" extension service caravan which was initiated by the MinSU Extension Unit in collaboration with Pampamayanang Mangyan Ugnayan Inc. (PMUI), aims to bring essential government services to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities catered by the STC4iD Project and PMUI. We traversed long, winding roads and crossed a dilapidated bridge that swayed with each step. The uncertainty of the journey weighed heavily on our minds, yet the anticipation of the smiles and hopes awaiting us in the remote Mangyan community propelled us forward.

Our day began before dawn on June 27, 2024, as volunteers and staff from Mindoro State University (MinSU) headed by Dr. Lourders V. Icalla, Director for Extension, with Nurse Marianne Garcia representing MinSU Health Unit, Accounting Head Ms. Ma. Cristina Siscar, Dr. Erwin Icalla and Dr. Pinky Carig as Project Leaders, PMUI led by Ms. Juvelyn Gumal-in, Executive Director, the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) headed by Regional Director Dr. Marie Grace T. Pascua, American-Malaysian and Filipino volunteers, and various government agencies such as PhilHealth and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) gathered. We loaded our vehicles with supplies—food packs, medicines, clothing, and sports equipment. The convoy set off, winding through narrow paths and rugged terrain, each kilometer bringing us closer to Sitio Bayang.