Manobo chief learns to write for his tribe

MANILA, Philippines – The first time Eloy went to Tagum City in Davao del Norte to open a bank account, he was refused by the bank because he was illiterate.

“When it was time for me to open the account, I affixed my thumbmark instead of my signature because I did not know then how to write my name. Unfortunately, the bank did not accept my thumbmark. I returned home discouraged and worried,” Eloy recounted.

To direct finances to his village, Manobo tribal leader Eloy of Sitio Pong-Pong, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, learned how to write.

It was a dream come true for Eloy to write his name for the first time on paper. According to him, however, signing an official document for the first time was part of his commitment to his tribe.

Eloy signed his name on a document to open a bank account, where funds for the construction of houses in his village would be sent.

“My fellow Manobos relied on me for the realization of our tribal housing project,” he said.

Sitio Pong-Pong was a beneficiary community of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), an anti-poverty housing program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

It was the first time a government project reached the community.

Committed leader

Prior to the Kalahi-CIDSS project, Eloy had no interest in becoming literate. “I do not even know my real name and age. They just call me Eloy,” he added.

Raised in poverty, Eloy was unable to have formal education. Despite this, however, he did not feel inferior.

“Education is of no value to the Manobos. That is why I never persisted to learn,” explained Eloy.

But when he was elected chair of the Community Sub-Project Management Committee (CSPMC), he knew he had no choice. “I tried my best to write the four letters of my name,” Eloy said.

Eloy was taught to write by Kalahi-CIDSS community facilitator Marvin Samson. “My hand shook each time I tried to write a single letter. It took me two long weeks to learn to write the 4 letters of my name,” Eloy said.

“I could not lose hope. We badly needed the housing project. I had to learn how to write even just my first name,” he added.

Community development and peace

According to Social Welfare and Development secretary Corazon Soliman, the Kalahi-CIDSS initiative aims to allow individuals and communities to be active participants in development.

“Communities are not only given better access to services but are also empowered to work for what is best for them towards national development,” Soliman added.

The Kalahi-CIDSS project is done in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. This is to improve access to basic social services in conflict-affected communities.

The project has completed 191 community projects amounting to P121.01 million.

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) report, Davao del Norte has a poverty incidence rate of 29.2%. Talaingod is one of the 8 municipalities that comprise the province.

Eloy still heads his community. He now fulfills his job better by being the representative of his tribesmen in community projects and dialogues. He has already lobbied community projects for Sitio Pong-Pong.  – Rappler.com