Lun Masla had been known for its notorious past in Malapatan town, Sarangani. The community was threatened by the presence of rebels who were extorting to collect revolutionary taxes. Locals from the B’laan tribe were the favorite recruits of armed groups in the 1980s.

“When I was still assigned in the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), there were 80 B’laan rebels who surrendered in Barangay Lun Masla in 1989. The Bl’aans were seeking for peace that was why they surrendered their guns in exchange for carabaos for farming. That was the time they started to dream for developments like access to road, electricity, water and schools,” said Miller Esparaguza, Barangay Captain of Lun Masla.

Since their reintegration in 1989, the B’laan rebel returnees even made it their role to maintain peace in Lun Masla. No outsider armed group could penetrate the community because the children of these rebel returnees who are already professionals reject such ideology. As Lun Masla achieved peace, developments started to come to the community. These include infrastructure such as a cemented road from Lun Masla to Kinam, access to potable water and electricity, and most recently, the provision of a new schoolbuilding.

SCHOOL FOR THE IPs 

Calay IP School in Sitio Puting Bato is an Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) school adopting a curriculum that is culturally rooted and responsive to the educational needs of the B’laan children. It has contextualized learning materials fitted for the B’laan tribe but lacked classrooms in the past.

Hence, the two-classroom building given by ICTSI Foundation, Incorporated and South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Incorporated (SCIPSI) through Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to Calay IP School is such a blessing to Lun Masla. It addressed the lack of classrooms in Malapatan, especially in IPEd schools which are located in the hinterlands. Local B’laans who are farmers could not afford to construct a schoolbuilding.

Last month, the schoolbuilding was turned over to the community. The ceremony was attended by representatives from ICTSI Foundation, SCIPSI, PBSP, partners from the local government and the Department of Education and beneficiaries. A B’laan also performed an indigenous ritual during the turnover as a sign of respect to ‘Melu’ or God.

“Because of hardwork, the B’laans of Lun Masla were able to acquire one of the best schoolbuildings. The school is just located in the neighborhood so the children will not hike long distances anymore to attend classes. There is no reason to stay out of school,” said Vice Mayor Jimmy Bagit, representative of Malapatan Mayor Alfonso Singcoy, Sr. during the turnover ceremony.

For his part, Melchor Magwan, Alternate Focal Person of IPEd and also the representative of Crispin Soliven, Jr., Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Sarangani thanked the donors and called on the residents of Sitio Puting Bato to protect the school because it is the place where their children will mold their dreams.

The two-classroom building comes complete with facilities and amenities like 90 student chairs, gender-sensitive toilets (one for boys and one for girls per classroom), ceiling fans and lights.

“We believe that the first step towards addressing poverty is to provide children access to education. The success of any business is anchored on the community that have educated citizens. One major consideration why we chose Calay IP School was that it is near our port in SCIPSI. We seek ways to help communities where ICTSI terminals operate,” said Filipina Laurena, Deputy Executive Director of ICTSI Foundation, Incorporated.

Laurena added that the family of Calay who donated land to the school shows that the community is receptive to development. This is one ingredient that ICTSI Foundation is looking for in a community which is active. It is also looking for communities that will become an inspiration not only for business but also for others to value education as a way to end poverty.

“We wish that one day the professionals who will work for ICTSI will come from Calay IP School. The only way to thank ICTSI is for the community to make sure that every child who enters Grade 1 should finish Grade 12. Aside from teachers, it is also good that barangay officials will help monitor the children in school. The parents should also encourage and believe in the capacity of their children,” said Miguel Rene Dominguez, Chairman of PBSP Mindanao Regional Executive Committee.

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About Philippine Business for Social Progress

Philippine Business for Social Progress is the largest business-led NGO at the forefront of strategic corporate citizenship and business sector leadership contributing to sustainable development and poverty reduction. Established in 1970, PBSP remains a consultant and partner of choice of companies and donors.

PBSP scales up impact by adopting the Collective Impact strategy to solve large, complex, systemic problems.  PBSP organizes Platforms for Collective Engagements (PlaCEs) to ensure alignment and sustainability of initiatives by multiple stakeholders.

Responding to the changing landscape of CSR, PBSP’s brand of corporate citizenship taps into the core business competencies of companies and promotes inclusive business as a strategy. PBSP also continues to strategically engage companies through social investment, responsible business practices, and philanthropy.

PBSP creates sustainable solutions to societal problems in its core program areas which are Health, Education, Environment, and Livelihood and Enterprise Development. It also provides off-the-shelf options for engagement of companies and their employees.

With a proven track record, PBSP provides end-to-end services in development consulting which include project and grants management, events and backroom management.