LIANGA, SURIGAO DEL SUR—The tribe people of Surigao del Sur made history on March 17, 2008 when through the non–government organization (NGO)–sponsored high school program ALCADEV or Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development conducted its first graduation ceremony.

Such event was the product of a long struggle of the Church and some NGO's to put up schools for elementary and secondary education befitting the indigenous people (IP) or lumad.

The Diocese of Tandag started the elementary education through its Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur or TRIFPSS (formerly TFA or Tribal Filipino Apostolate) in the late 70's to respond to the oppression of the IP due to massive militarization.

Now TRIFPSS is an NGO continuing the church's apostolate. TRIFPSS gave birth to ALCADEV on 2004 to cater to its elementary graduates. These two schools are found in the highland of Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur at the heart of the tribal community.

The highland of Diatagon, Lianga is also a frequent base of military operations aimed at the New People's Army (NPA) rebels at the nearby Andap Valley. The area is a constant battleground between the military and the rebels in the past decade, the last of which was the 2005 intense military operations in the area.

In the last quarter of 2007, the 58th military brigade under Col. Jose Vizcarra sheltered in the community of Sitio Han–ayan known as Kilometer 16 (Diatagon) using the schools as their virtual military camp.

This resulted to the displacements of more than 2,000 IP in the area. Consequently, classes were suspended and the students were scattered into different evacuation centers. It was only at the latter part of December 2007 that they were able to go back and found their homes ransacked and livestock gone.

Both schools were not spared from these atrocities. According to Mr. Siegfred Balmores, ALCADEV director, they found their livestock and agricultural products consumed.

In less than a quarter of occupation, the military has destroyed more than a year effort of the school administration to improve the facility.

In spite of this, through the doubled effort of the school administration, classes resumed on the latter part of January 2008, crowned by the first graduation ceremony last March.

For the young IP graduates, it was everything that they ever aspire for, having the least chance to have a shot in college. They and their families were beaming with pride and joy as they marched towards the stage to receive their diploma.

However, such celebration may seldom happen. With the continued interest of the government through its PNOC (Philippine National Oil Company) projects to mine the coal reserve in the area, there remains an eminent threat of the military to resume its operation to clear the area for the company.

Given this scenario, the much sought education of the young generation of lumads is in grave danger.

END