Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib said the government is planning to build housing units to his Lumad constituents, including those who are at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Haran Center here.
“This housing project will also be a shelter for those lumad members (who are currently) inside UCCP Haran,” Jubahib said during a press briefing on Monday in Sitio Nasilaban, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
The project, Pabahay sa Tribong Ata-Manobo, is an initiative of Task Force Balik Loob with a P60 million budget for 300 units.
He said the families now inside Haran Center will be given priority.
The governor has urged those Lumad taking refuge at the UCCP Haran in the city to return to their ancestral lands.
He said reports that the natives are in “trouble and unsafe” in their communities due to alleged militarization “are all lies”
“Because in Talaingod, people are living peacefully here,” Jubahib said. “When they return, they are safe.”
The governor said they will be providing other assistance, such as education for the children.
On Saturday, a commotion erupted at the UCCP Haran along Fr. Selga Street here after the governor and some tribal leaders tried to “rescue” Lumad who are at the center.
Jubahib, as supported by the military and police, has claimed that the Lumad at the center are “prisoners” of the Communist Party of the Philippines “locked inside the Haran compound that even their relatives are not allowed to visit nor talk with them.”
