LUBUAGAN, Kalinga – The Kalinga value of binnadang (volunteerism) is exemplified not only in times of adversity and community gatherings but in the implementation of anti-poverty projects as well.
Recently, government workers, community volunteers and the beneficiaries themselves came together to help in the realization of a Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-Cidss) community sub-project in the remote barangay of Mabongtot.
Personnel of the Kalahi-Cidss in Lubuagan, the Philippine National Police 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, Lubuagan Municipal Police Station, 54th Infantry Battalion, local government unit of Lubuagan, together with community volunteers manually hauled construction materials for the Mabongtot communal water irrigation system.
From Barangay Mabilong where the construction materials were delivered, they hauled the steel bars, gravel and sand and other materials to a staging area where the beneficiaries continued to deliver to the project site. The distance from Mabilong to the project site is 6.8 kilometers involving three hours of hiking.
Kalahi-Cidss area coordinator Nancy Wagayan said the beneficiaries consisting of 160 households are grateful for the great help extended to them.
With the rehabilitation of the irrigation project, rice farmers in Mabongtot will be able maintain two croppings in a year.
Binnadang is cultural practice of unity and generosity practiced by Cordillerans. It is cooperation or concerted action by community members usually in works in the rice fields, in community gatherings, and during hard times or calamities.
Binnadang was exemplified in relief operations during the Covid-19 pandemic and rescue operations during disasters. Now it is evolving with increasing number of volunteers in the implementation of community projects.
It has become a pillar of unity and cooperation among people of Kalinga even in efforts of bringing government services closer to the communities. – Peter A. Balocnit
