SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- A total of 86 Mangyan families from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro will benefit from agricultural interventions from the provincial and municipal government, in partnership with the Philippine Army.

They were given farming tools and seedlings of various fruit-bearing trees and vegetables such as mungbean, squash, mustard, pechay, upo, green chili, and tomato.

The aid was delivered to the community in Sitio Mantay in Barangay Monteclaro.

Residents of the community are planning to put up a communal garden. 

Captain Ersel Filipinas of the Philippine Army 68th Infantry Battalion explained that their office coordinated with the provincial and municipal local government offices for the provision of agricultural inputs as steps toward achieving food security in the area.

Moreover, Filipinas underscored that this initiative is one of the government’s efforts to support the sitio’s development.

“Hindi tayo titigil [sa pagbibigay lang ng mga intervention], we will continue to influence the resident sa mga practice na makakatulong. [‘Yan ang] mga future activities pa natin,

(We will not stop at just providing interventions; we will continue to influence the residents on the practices that will be helpful. That will be our future activities),” he said.

Sangbay Day-om, Sitio leader of Sitio Mantay expressed his gratitude on behalf of the community.

“Masaya lang din isipin na nakakarating sa amin itong mga ganitong proyekto sa aming lugar (It's also fulfilling to think that projects like these reach our area.),” he added.

Sitio Mantay is situated in the mountainous area of Barangay Monteclaro, one of the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the municipality. The community can be accessed by more than a five-hour walk traversing rivers and rocky roads and is also identified as one of the rebel-infested areas in the province. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)