P38-M water, road projects to benefit Manobo villagers in Surigao

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Hundreds of indigenous residents and farming households in an upland village in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, will gain reliable access to clean water.

This became possible after a tripartite agreement was signed on Oct. 29 to fast-track vital rural infrastructure in the indigenous residents’ ancestral domain, worth P38 million.

The initiative is part of a broader development package unanimously approved by the Caraga Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB), which endorsed two priority projects inside Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 116 in Barangay Umalag: the P6-million Rehabilitation and Improvement of the Barangay Umalag Potable Water System (PWS) Level II, and the P31.6-million concreting of the 2.4-kilometer NRJ Umalag–Sitio Kapnon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR).

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The water project will serve 160 Manobo households (800 individuals) through 26 tap stands. Local officials noted the system will help curb waterborne illnesses while lowering monthly household water expenses.

The partnership included the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (DA-MIADP), North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU), and the municipal government of San Miguel.

Municipal tribal chieftain Arnold “Hawudon Subang” Acebedo welcomed the interventions, describing them as crucial for upland indigenous families long burdened by inadequate basic utilities.

“I am truly thankful that government agencies are working to lift the condition of our tribe. As the father of the Manobo in San Miguel, I am very happy and grateful,” Acebedo said in Bisaya.

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Complementing the water system, the P31.6-million road concreting project is expected to directly benefit 1,348 indigenous residents by linking farming communities to local trading hubs. The road serves an estimated 900 hectares planted with abaca, coconut, banana, and corn, lowering hauling costs and reducing post-harvest losses.

Ricardo Oñate Jr., DA regional executive director, stressed that grassroots convergence remains essential in delivering long-term rural development across indigenous territories.

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“It is important that we cooperate, collaborate, and converge. We cannot accomplish anything if we do not collaborate with each local government unit, alongside the full support of our farmers.” Oñate said.

San Miguel Mayor Michael Corilla pledged transparent execution, assuring tribal leaders that the local government will coordinate closely with indigenous elders throughout construction to protect community interests.

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Atty. Jose Dumagan Jr., representing the Surigao del Sur provincial government, added that multi-sectoral partnerships between state agencies, local governments, and state universities are key to uplifting ancestral domains and driving sustainable agricultural productivity across the province./coa