The City Government of Davao, through Peace 911, turned over sewing machines to the 11 tribes of Davao City at Peoples Park on Wednesday.
The sewing machines, numbering 320, were donated by the People’s Republic of China and the office of First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
The prayer and blessing of the sewing machines was led by Archbishop Romulo Valles D.D.
People’s Republic of China-Davao Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen and a representative of Rep. Duterte attended the turnover ceremony.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Baste Duterte, Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, the mayor’s assistant chief of staff and Peace 911 Focal Person, and Deputy Mayors of the eleven tribes were present – along with representatives of the Barangay Cultural Communities and Affairs Division and the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) – also attended the event.
Consul Xiuzhen, in an interview with the City Information Office, said that the partnership for the project started with the previous city administration.
“We want to donate sewing machines to help the local people. They can use the sewing machines to promote their tradition and culture,” Xiuzhen said, adding that the People’s Republic of China, through the Consulate General here and Davao City, is working together to enhance the cooperation with the city government.
Our special thanks for the City of Davao for all the assistance it will give for the distribution and the delivery of the sewing machines to the far flung indigenous communities for locating the venue where
it will be installed and for the support services that it will provide for the indigenous people’s group,” said Congressman Paolo Duterte through a speech read by his representative Rodrigo Duterte II.
Presto, in her speech during the event, said that they will ensure that the machines will be used for sustainable livelihood and they plan not just to add more machines but ensure that training will be provided to the tribes.
“Magpatabang ta sa local government agencies nga mag conduct og trainings and labaw sa tanan mangita ta kung asa nato siya pwede ibaligya (We will ask the local government agencies to conduct training and more to find a market for the products),” Presto said.
She said they also intend to connect with the private sector and the whole chain for production and marketing to sustain the project. CIO
