Beng leads ‘Kumustahan’

Beng leads ‘Kumustahan’

in IDPs transitory  sites

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ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) - Aimed to raise awareness on the true sentiments of internally displaced persons (IDPs), a series of camp dialogues dubbed “Kumustahan” has been launched in different evacuation centers and transitory sites.

Mayor Beng Climaco personally leads the dialogues which also seek to help surface negative feelings or emotions to facilitate healing and to make proper referral to specialists after going through proper psychosocial processing.

In every dialogue, the mayor brings along a team composed of facilitators and process observers and documenters coming from the Western Mindanao Command, Western Mindanao State University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and City Mayor’s Office.

Resource persons include Guru Bata, Maharlika Tuan Radja Agong Dr. Pendatun Talib and other members from the Ulama Council and Esperanza group.

Augmenting information concerning shelter and other programs of the government for the IDPs are City Housing and Land Management Division Chief Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Roxas.

The activity actually kicked off August 23 during a series of dialogues with concerned officials and residents of the 6 barangays severely affected by the 2013 siege as a way of healing the wounds of the past and moving forward to build back a better Zamboanga.

Held at the City Hall conference room, the half-day activity formed part of the psychosocial interventions that the government and other implementing partners are initiating for siege affected residents.

The participants included barangay officials, barangay tanods, purok leaders and other concerned individuals from Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina and Kasanyangan. They were led by the concerned barangay chairmen.

Last Saturday, August 30, Climaco and group touch based with IDP leaders in Zones A and B at the grandstand while on Sunday, August 31,  the dialogue was held at Zones B and C also at grandstand.

The dialogues become a venue for the participants to freely express their sentiments and concerns that in a way gave them relief comfort. It also served as venue for them to share their hopes and dreams and what inspires them to go on with their individual lives.

The activity forms part of the activities lined up for the commemoration of the first year since the September 2013 siege.

 This week, “Kumustahan” will visit the transit sites specifically Tulungatung, Taluksangay, Mampang, Rio Hondo and PTSI in Upper Calarian. (Sheila Covarrubias) (090914)