The indigenous community of Barangay Tabud in Bataraza has received sets of radio handsets and typewriters for their communication needs.
Melissa Didik, community organizer said that the turnover of the equipment was funded through Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) to improve the mobilization in far-flung areas like Tabud.
“Since malayo ang Tabud, mahina ang signal at kapag panahon ng tag-ulan, mahirap silang pasukin dahil maputik ang daan at may mga pagbaha-baha, kung pumupunta kami doon, naglalakad kami ng one to two and a half hour,” she said.
She also said that the cellular signal in the community is weak so the residents have to find an area with reception and talk to them on a loudspeaker.
She also mentioned that residents used to walk to the nearby barangays with electricity just to make letters and requests.
Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) distributed 10 sets of handsets and a typewriter on September through the allotment from SDMP.
Didik said that the equipment will solve the communication problems of the residents especially on unexpected emergencies.
“Pwede na sila makipag communicate through handsets kapag nagka-emergency sila. Hindi na nila kinakailangan dumayo ng ibang barangay na may kuryente at computer para gumawa ng letters, kasi kapag may typewriter kaya na nila gumawa agad-agad,” she said.
Along with the sets of handset and typewriter, RTNMC also distributed six sets of jetmatic pump for the community of Tabud.
