Philippines: Helping a remote conflict-affected community in Agusan del Sur
Our team trekked to the remote village of Mahagsay to help a farming community that was displaced by armed conflict.
An armed conflict forced hundreds of families living in the remote sitios of Tabon-Tabon and Kandiisan in San Luis, Agusan del Sur out of their homes in May 2020.
The displaced families fled to safer areas in Barangay Mahagsay, a village that is about 34 kilometers away from the town proper.
Reaching Barangay Mahagsay took a five-hour habal-habal (motorbike) ride from San Luis on a narrow, muddy, and bumpy trail. From San Luis, the village is only accessible by foot or by motorbike.
In March, we traveled to Barangay Mahagsay to assess the families’ needs and to check their living conditions.
“When the IDPs started arriving here, the barangay officials were deeply concerned about their situation. The immediate needs were food and shelter since their displacement was sudden, and most of them were not able to bring anything with them,” shared Lito Gomez Mansiliohan, a village official.
Sadina Maligunya, a woman staying in Barangay Mahagsay, vividly remembered the struggles they faced during the early days of her displacement from Sitio Tabon-Tabon.
“When we just arrived here, we went house-to-house to ask for food. Sometimes, we work in their farms to afford our daily needs,” said Sadina.
On our first visit, we responded to the urgent needs of the displaced community by providing emergency assistance. We also discovered the alarming severity of waterborne illnesses among the residents and displaced persons staying in Barangay Mahagsay.
Last September, we trekked again to Barangay Mahagsay to continue supporting the community. For three days, we distributed essential items to improve the families’ health, living conditions, and food production.
Sadina said she is optimistic for a better future, now that her family has been given tools to sustain their livelihood.
The road to Barangay Mahagsay was bumpy, slippery, and narrow. It was impossible for 4-wheel vehicles to pass.
Our team rented 22 motorbikes to bring sawali (bamboo mats) and GI corrugated sheets to Barangay Mahagsay. These shelter materials will be used to construct the families’ new homes.
Habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) crossed Maasam river to bring items to the distribution site in Barangay Mahagsay. The river is impassable during strong rains.
Together with the Philippine Red Cross-Agusan del Sur Chapter, we provided emergency assistance to the displaced community in March 2021. Around 250 families received jerry cans, hygiene kits, water purification tablets, and half-month food rations.</h2>
ICRC staff distributed relief items to some of the 62 households who were displaced because of the armed conflict in Sitio Tabon-Tabon and Sitio Kandiisan last summer.
An ICRC engineer taught a family how to properly use a ceramic water filter. Several residents in Barangay Mahagsay suffered from waterborne illnesses caused by a contaminated water source.
Each family received a knapsack sprayer and a set of farm tools that included a sickle, axe, bolo knife, spade-fork, and shovel. These items are meant to help them produce more food through farming.
Sadina Maligunya, a resident who evacuated from Sitio Tabon-Tabon, is grateful for the items she received. “The sprayer and farm tools are important because we are always farming. It is our only livelihood,” Sadina said.</h2>
“We know how difficult it was for you to come here in the remote area. We see your dedication and commitment in helping especially to the affected IDPs,” Lito Gomez Mansiliohan, the top village official in Mahagsay, told us.</h2>
Alvin Mansiliohan previously walked back to his old house in Sitio Tabon-Tabon to get materials for building a shelter in Barangay Mahagsay. He was relieved to receive construction materials such as sawali or split-bamboo mats to make a sturdier shelter for his family. </h2>
