Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo on Wednesday gladly welcomed and dialogued with some 70 Lumad tribe members from Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) who are currently holding a ‘kampuhan,’ outside the main gate of the DSWD Central Office to call for the immediate delivery of assistance from the national government to their areas, which are presently affected by armed conflicts and illegal mining activities.

Sec. Taguiwalo was accompanied by staff members from the DSWD Office of the Secretary (OSEC) and the people’s organization PASAKA.

During her dialogue with Lumad tribe leaders, she assured them that the Department will ensure to bring their demands to the Duterte administration and to expedite any possible assistance within the capacity of the DSWD.

Moreover, the Secretary also acknowledged the need for just and lasting peace in the country.

“For decades, injustice and oppression continue to haunt our country making it difficult for our poor and marginalized countrymen to empower themselves and exercise their rights,” she said.

“Because of this reason, we continue to push for the resumption of the peace process because we want to build a genuine democratic society that allows people to develop and to exercise their rights. We want to help our fellow Filipinos, like our Lumad brothers and sisters, to be able to build safe communities free from any form of harassment, displacement, discrimination and inequality,” Sec. Taguiwalo ended. ###