RESIDENTS of Barangay 8-A, Davao City and its neighboring barangays have filed a petition opposing the stay of Lumads inside the United of the Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) Haran.
This move is in consonance to the recent death of two Lumad infants who passed away in a span of 10 days at UCCP Haran premises.
Ariel Lagmay, Barangay Captain of 8-A, Davao City, said their office has received a petition letter with attached signatures from his constituent appealing to make the Lumads leave UCCP Haran as the residents are anxious for the health and safety of their families.
Currently, more than a hundred Lumad families are congested inside the church facility which might pose a risk of catching diseases.
In a recent interview on the Davao City Disaster Radio, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, there may already be a health crisis inside UCCP Haran. She said Pasaka Salugpungan Kalimudan-Southern Mindanao Region (Pasaka-SMR) must take responsibility for the deaths of the infants who died in May.
There is also the possibility that children living in the church facility, which is not an evacuation center, lack proper nutrition and vaccines.
The residents of Barangay 8-A launched a signature campaign against UCCP Haran in a bid to appeal to the center to let the Lumads to return to their communities.
“Gi-elevate na nato ang petition letter sa mga otoridad kay naka address man gyud sa UCCP Haran ug kang Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Ang mga residente sa barangay na mismo ang nag-apela nga unta kung mamahimo papaulion na ang mga Lumad nga nagpuyo sa sulod sa UCCP Haran kay nahadlok sila nga basin ug matakdan sila kung aduna may sakit sa sulod kay daghan gyud baya ang Lumad nga nagpuyo sa (UCCP) Haran (We already submitted the petition letter to UCCP Haran and the mayor. The residents of the barangay have appealed that the management of UCCP Haran allow the Lumad to return to their homes due to the health crisis inside),” Lagmay said.
Meanwhile, two Lumad families have already been facilitated by the barangay council and the local government unit of Davao. One family returned to Talaingod, Davao del Norte on June 4, 2020 and the other family returned to Loreto, Agusan del Sur on June 5, 2020. Each family has seven members each.
Among the problems, the two families during their stay at UCCP Haran included the lack of food, basic needs, and constant monitoring. The families are hoping to start a new life.
It is the Barangay residents’ desire to send the Lumad back to their respective communities to ensure their safety and well-being.
Meanwhile, due to the congestion within the UCCP Haran, there is the risk of an outbreak. Because of this risk, the best way to protect the Lumad is by allowing them to return them to their homes.
The residents of Barangay 8-A is also calling on the City Government of Davao and the City Health Office to act swiftly on this matter and is requesting to sanitize and disinfect the facility. (PR)