Some 70 Lumad led by the people’s organization PASAKA from the Southern Mindanao Region (SMR)  have set up camp in front of the main gate of the DSWD Central Office in protest of what they point out to be the slow delivery of much needed assistance to their communities.

The PASAKA together with other Lumad organizations had already made demands known to DSWD Field Offices X and XI in Mindanao, as well as to the Central Office. They have stated categorically that given the recent escalation of incidents of armed conflict between government military forces and the New People’s Army – exacerbated by the aerial bombings of Lumad communities in the last two months – they cannot wait for us to address their concerns utilizing our usual — often long and protracted — processes as the delay of assistance can spell life or death for their communities. They badly need support so they can meet their daily needs for sustenance. They also need interventions from the government so they can rebuild their communities alternately threatened and attacked by paramilitary and military operations.

With the goal to bring their demands to the attention of the DSWD national leadership itself, a number of Lumad have now journeyed from their communities in Mindanao and are now seeking an audience with us. We have agreed to this and we accept the validity of some of the criticisms they have issued against and we are willing to work with them to expedite their requests within the processes of the DSWD. We return to the directives set to us by Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte when he said after his first SONA in July 2016 that the national government and its agencies should help the Lumad and provide all assistance to them to secure their long-term safety and security.

The Office of Secretary as well as the office of Undersecretary for Institutional Development Group (IDG) is coordinating with FO X and XI as to how dialogues will be conducted with PASAKA and its members to determine how best to resolve the issues the Lumad are bringing to the fore. We are also making preparations to ensure the safety and security of the Lumad and the protest camp they are establishing in front of the main gate. ###