Isabela City, February 12, 2025 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) KALAHI-CIDSS has officially broken ground on a Php 2-million concrete footbridge designed to benefit Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Isabela City. The initiative, launched on Wednesday, aims to provide better accessibility and a sense of pride to the Badjao community, who actively identified and advocated for the project.
Tribal leader and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Barangay Kaumpurnah, Zone III, Aksan Sawadjaan, expressed his gratitude as the sub-project commenced. “Parang ngayon ko lang naramdaman na ito na ang aking pinaghirapan para sa amin mga Badjao,” (It’s like, I just now felt that this is what I worked for, for us Badjaos), Sawadjaan shared, emphasizing the significance of the project to their community.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Officer, Engr. George Jocutan, reinforced the inclusive nature of the infrastructure. “Itong project ay hindi lamang para sa kapakinabangan ng Badjao, kundi para rin sa ibang tao at mga IPs dito sa Kaumpurnah,” (This project is not only for the benefit of the Badjao but also for other people and IPs in Kaumpurnah), Jocutan stated. He encouraged the community to view the footbridge as a social action project that strengthens connectivity and economic activities.
The footbridge will serve as a vital link between the island of Malamawi and mainland Isabela City, facilitating easier movement for residents engaging in personal, communal, and economic endeavors. It is one of three sub-projects under the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS KKB CDD IP program for Badjao communities in the city.
The project has a total funding of Php 2,010,000.00, with Php 1,940,442.00 provided as a grant and Php 69,558.00 contributed by the barangay and the community as their counterpart share.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Ms. Norhaya Macusang, IP Focal of the Office of the City Mayor; Councilor Marymay Julhari, City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative; NCIP Provincial Officer Engr. George T. Jocutan; representatives from the City Social Welfare and Development Office; Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) officials of Barangay Kaumpurnah; tribal leaders; and members of the DSWD Area and City Coordinating Team.
With construction now set in motion, the Badjao community and other residents of Isabela City look forward to a future with improved accessibility and strengthened community ties, marking another milestone in the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples in the region.
