Vincenzo Sagun LGU and the Subanen: “The tandem to beat” in protecting children’s well-being Local Officials of V. Sagun were fully entertained by a Subanen dance presentation graced by the dance moves of Hon. Edilberto S. Adlaon during the launching of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) barangay-to-barangay orientation. The presence of the Subanen people during the event vividly manifest their support to the program. “Now that the Indigenous Peoples (IP) become our partner in the implementation of the Child Protection Policies, we have consistently got zero child abuse case rate and continue to be on top in every endeavor,” Mayor Merlinda P. Maata proudly expressed. The municipality of Vincenzo Sagun (V. Sagun) is one of the best implementers of the Child Protection Policy and has consistently maintained its zero child abuse case rate over the years. This is something that every V. Sagunian has been proud of. But the factor that helped the Local Government Unit (LGU) attained this success amidst technological advancement is their respect in maintaining strong ties with their citizens, particularly the Subanen – one of the indigenous people tribes of V. Sagun. Preserving Culture and Heritage A fifth class municipality located in the southern portion of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, V. Sagun is located 60 kilometers away from the capital city of Pagadian. The town is bounded in the north by the Municipality of Margosatubig, Maligay Bay on the Southeast, Dumanquillas Bay on the Southwest and Dimataling in the east. Known as the biodiversity hub of Zamboanga del Sur, visitors can expect nature at its best when you happen to visit the simple and peaceful town of V. Sagun. Like any other Filipinos, people of V. Sagun are warm and hospitable, the communities are safe and developing, and the culture is preserved and vividly existing. One more fascinating thing to know about V. Sagun, aside from being one of the tourist destinations of the province, is the existence of the Subanen tribe which adds color and meaning to the municipality’s beautiful history. Originally called Phagbetan, V. Sgaun was once a part of the Municipality of Margosatubig. Phagbetan was a silent and a typical community first settled by tribal people called Subanen who used to live beside the big river in the heart of the community. Their source of living is fishing and farming and lived in abundance brought by the rich lands of Phagbetan. As time evolved, Phagbetan was changed to Kabatan and became a recognized barangay of Margosatubig. In 1983, by virtue of Batas Pambansa Bilang 173, as proposed by District Representative Hon. Vincenzo A. Sagun, Kabatan and its 13 neighboring barangays became a legal municipality that was named after him. Years brought so much change in the place yet the culture and traditions of the first settlers, the Subanen people, have remained untouched and even more growing. Their customary laws have been one of the highlights of their tribe which still exist today. Therefore, peace and order in the entire municipality is not a hard business to deal with since one of the most active partners of the Local Government Unit and the Local Police is the Indigenous People specifically the Subanen. Ties that Bind Based on the recent population survey, out of 21,469 people living in the municipality, about one-third are Subanen. This strength of IP population is a good source of support in the implementation of national and local programs. This is what the local officials of the municipality have seen. In 2009, Mayor Edilberto S. Adlaon, M.D. took one of the most challenging steps in the history of V. Sagun – to involve the Indigenous People in the composition of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC). Criticisms have floated regarding this decision since they believe that IP groups have their distinct traditions, cultures, and customary laws that might contradict to that of the state’s legal laws. But the Local Chief Executive, however, was not discouraged and instead, pursued his decision for he believed that when IPs are properly oriented, they would understand and their participation is definitely valuable. The active members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of V. Sagun who relentlessly commit support for the Child Protection Program of the municipality after Subanens’ participation has been considered vital in maintaining zero child abuse case rate throughout the communities. Since 2009 to present, the municipality has maintained its zero child abuse case because of the strong bond and active involvement of the IPs in the implementation of the Child Protection Laws. Moreover, the town gives premium to the protection of the children, as it believes that the children are its greatest investment. Protecting the children is also protecting the municipality’s future great leaders. The tribal chieftain – Timuey Manuel Ansao, who is currently part of the LCPC, pledged that the entire Subanen tribe will continue to support any programs that the municipality will implement specially that IPs now are empowered and are given great opportunities by being involved in all activities in the municipality. IPs are now educated and are greatly capable of holding positions as good partners of our officials in achieving a totally developed community. Ninety percent of the 14 barangays now have IP representatives and are active participants in all programs and projects of the municipality. With this, we can vividly see how productive it is for the LGU to implement all its development efforts when complemented with the ever strong support from citizens regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and background. After all, IPs are not different from the residents of V. Sagun. In fact, they are part and parcel of what V. Sagun is and what it will become. And as encouraged in the institutional arrangements for CIP implementation among LGUs, the Subanen will continue to be an important partner of the local government of V. Sagun in protecting children and promoting their welfare. Achieving either consistently zero child abuse case or well-protected children living in a safe and enabling community will not just be a dream but certainly a reality as long as the tandem between the LGU and the Subanen remains for keeps. .