The shelter for Indigenous People (IP) set to be established in Southern Philippines Medical Center is awaiting a groundbreaking schedule, an IP mandatory representative revealed.
Councilor and IPMR, Rodolfo Mande said this after the 20th city council approved in the third and final reading the ordinance establishing the shelter on its 8th regular session, February 27.
“This year gyud [ma-implement] kay nagsulat naman mi for the groundbreaking so schedule na lang ang kulang ani, kay naa namay budget,” Mande said.
About P42 million coming from the Annual Development Fund of the city, earmarked for the establishment alone was already approved last year, December 2.
Apart from the budget for the shelter, an estimated cost for the maintenance of the building, and personnels ranges to P10 million per year, which is still under refinement.
Mande considers this a fulfillment of his heart’s desire that IP will be accommodated and ease their access to healthcare services.
“Overwhelming nga kadugay nga panahon nga nag-antos akong mga kaigsounang katribo nakita gyud nako mismo kung paano sila matulog sa kilid maghapin og sako o gamay nga karton basta maprotektahan ang likod, tapos walay habol,” recalling that before he ran for the position, he used to send IP patients to the hospital.
Although the ordinance states the shelter will prioritize to serve the 11 tribes in the city namely Klata, Ata, Matigsalug, Obu-Manuvu, Tagabawa, Tausug, Iranun, Kagan, Sama, Maranao, and Maguindanaon, the councilor said it is also open for other IPs from outside Davao.
IPs hailing from neighboring provinces of the city are advised to seek assistance and will be accommodated through referral, however, it is dependent on the availability of slots in the shelter.
The facility will serve as a one stop shop that will provide food intervention, document assistance, transportation assistance, and monitoring and evaluation of confined IP patients, on top of the sleeping quarters and waiting areas.
The two-story building will cover an area of more or less 200 square meters, and can cater to more than 70 IP watchers and runners who need to stay longer periods during medication and consultation at SPMC.
The official said the shelter was eyed to be established in SPMC given its strategic location and affordability of services.
The councilor said there will be a specific table designated for offices such as for the city mayor, IPMR, City Social Welfare and Development, and other agencies to assist the IPs in their financial needs.
