TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 2 recently turned over new school buildings to two Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Cagayan. 

The infrastructure projects were part of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) modality project. 

The school buildings constructed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in partnership with the Local Government Units and Barangay Governments for the Indigenous Peoples communities in Gonzaga and Santa Ana towns of Cagayan. (Photo by DSWD)  

DSWD Assistant Secretary Arnel B. Garcia said the initiative directly addresses the critical educational needs of the communities that are located kilometers away from the educational centers.

Aside from the project funds from KALAHI-CIDSS and PMANA, the local government units and the barangays also gave counterpart funds to construct school buildings in Sitio Bagsang in Gonzaga town and Sitio Dumasag in Santa Ana. 

Garcia emphasized that the new school buildings symbolize more than just physical structures, they represent unity and progress within the communities they serve.

"DSWD has intensified efforts to bring the needs of the people in their communities closer to ensure that they are cared for and supported," added Garcia.

He further added that the DSWD will ensure that IP communities in the region are not neglected.

Ronald Agcaoili, community leader of the Dumasag Aeta tribe, said the school building is needed as their children need to traverse high mountains and cross over waist-deep rivers daily to reach the nearest school. 

Barangay officials and other parents also expressed their gratitude to the government for bringing the school facility closer to their remote communities. (OTB/MFJ/PIA Region 2)