Buldon, My Last Frontier

I have been working for more than 3 years now in an NGO as a field personnel for the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan and for the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong.

In those years, I have been able to visit all the municipalities in my area of coverage. Heck, I have even visited far-flung municipalities like Lebak, Kalamansig, Arakan and Banisilan. I have visited all of them except for Buldon in Shariff Kabunsuan and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat. This morning, I was able to visit one of my last two frontiers, Buldon.

 
I went to the place to conduct an on-site survey on one of the schools who applied for our CLIC (Computer Literacy and Internet Connection) Program. I was ferried to the site by my ever-reliable buddy, Romeo. The school is Karim NHS and prior to visiting the place, I called the school head regarding the security in the area especially since the ARMM elections has just been finished and there are still ongoing hostilities by MILF rebels in Central Mindanao. Security is always my main concern in going to these far-flung places where rido (clan wars) are prevalent. In fact, the municipal hall building was set on fire last year in an election-related incident.

Buldon is located on the northenmost portion of Shariff Kabunsuan and is almost 2 hours away from Cotabato City and located near the former MILF stronghold, Camp Abubakar. We arrived safely at 10:00 AM and chatted with some teachers and PTCA officials. The only problem I see with the school is that their proposed computer laboratory (we will give them computers and internet connection) has no electrical wirings installed yet although the school has electricity. But they promised to install it in time for the computer delivery.

I want to maximize my time at the place so we set off to visit a madrasah in Bgy. Poblacion and another public high-school in Bgy. Edcor to give them an orientation about our program. We passed-by the madrasah but didn’t bother to stop as I can see no concrete building that might serve as a computer laboratory. We then arrived at Gallego-Edcor NHS but there was no class. I talked with the school head of the adjacent elementary school and said that there were no classes today because it was their patronal fiesta. Oh well, I didn’t know that there are many Christians in that area.

When will I get the chance to visit Palimbang? Hopefully in the next future.

UPDATE 6/27/09:  My question is answered. Check out my post at my new web site:

I Have Finally Conquered Palimbang!