The war on poverty and the quality of life of indigenous people residing in remote areas of Antipolo City were the issues discussed recently during the Convergence Building Zero Extreme Poverty PH 2030 seminar at Antipolo City Hall.
Mayor Jun Ynares headed the seminar and mentioned that Barangay Dumagat-Remontado on Canumay, Libis, and Tayabasan are some IP communities suffering from lack of education, livelihood, resources, health and tourism.
Ynares said everyone should unite in making the community and the city progressive. “The equal development of these places mirrors solidarity and the importance of each citizen living in the area,” he said.
It also exemplifies how big or little things can contribute to development, because the local government “will make sure all parts of the city are prosperous and has a decent community while preserving the culture and tradition of the IP,” Ynares added.
With the help of Smart Telecommunications, Center for Conservation Innovations, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation Inc., Peace and Equity Foundation, City Planning and Development Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office at City Tourism Office, the seminar considered concrete plans for the development of the IP community in Antipolo.
Programs like supplemental feeding, livelihood projects, and Alternative Learning System have started to aid the communities involved. The programs are in line with the action plan the city government drew up last March 2017.