MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano is finally facing the lumad evacuees encamped at the capitol park for a dialogue, today, July 17.
Emano briefly visited the displaced residents of Sitio Camansi, Banglay, in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental in their makeshift shelters during the flag raising rites Monday, to inform them of the scheduled dialogue.
The governor also took the time to personally ask them of their condition and their needs. He ordered the provincial social welfare office to deliver firewood and drinking water as asked by the evacuees.
“Dugay na nga gusto ko makighinabi nila pero wala ta mahatagi sa panahon busa karon kay naa koy bakante nga oras ugma mao makigtagbo ko nila sa akong opisina,” Emano said.
The capitol's top official said apart from him, the heads of the provincial social welfare office, disaster office and the legal office will also be present.
Emano said he would listen to the demands of the evacuees and address promptly those within his authority.
“Ako silang paminawon ug tan-awon nako unsa tong ilang yangu-ngo ug tubagon nako diretso ang akong makaya pero ang dili, siguro mangayo lang ko og pasensya,” Emano said.
Sariza Acosta, spokesperson of the Tagtabulon lumad organization, said they are seeing a green light after the sudden visit of the governor.
“Nakurat mi sa iyang pag-anhi sa amo ug nalipay mi kay iya ming gibisita. At least karon nakita namo nga duna nay kahayag gamay kay personal na namo siya nga maistorya,” Acosta said.
But, she said their joy is not yet completed until they return home.
Acosta said they would reiterate to the governor their demand to pull out the military and the detachment in their community.
“Mao ra gihapon among ipaabot nga matabangan mi ma-pull out ang military sa among lugar kay lisod kaayo nga mopauli mi ug masugod sa uno unya nagpabilin ang kabalaka sa among seguridad nga dunay mahitabo tungod kay naa ilang presensya,” Acosta added.