Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

ANNEX “C” (Area Study) of After CSP Report of Brgy Mt Carmel, Bayugan City,
Agusan del Sur dated 01 March 2019.

HEADQUARTERS
th
8 SPECIAL FORCES (DRAGOONS) COMPANY
3rd SPECIAL FORCES (ARROWHEAD) BATTALION
SPECIAL FORCES REGIMENT (AIRBORNE), PHILIPPINE ARMY
Purok 12-A,Brgy Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusandel Sur

SUBJECT: Area Study of Brgy Mt Carmel, Bayugan City

1. HISTORY

The barangay is classified is an affected Barangay within the area of FGF 8,

NEMRC based on the PSR. The barangay is one of the main sources of food and
logistical supplies of the CNN group. Sightings of armed CNNs were frequently
monitored in said place and neighbouring areas. The FGF 8 clandestinely operates
in the area, conducting IPO works and recruiting locals. Also, some secluded sitios of
said barangay are still used by the CNNs as traditional routes going Brgy Mt Carmel,
BrgyBerseba, BrgySto Niño all of Bayugan City and towards BrgySta Irene, and San
Jose both of Prosperidad, ADS. Moreover, the hinterssitios is believed to be
organized with a standing Militia ng Bayan force. The barangay is also known as one
of the sources of recruits for the armed groups.

The purpose of this area study is to provide the commanders and combat
planners enough information and informants as well that will aid in making the right
decision to where our troops will operate and where we could meet the enemy in
such manner that our forces will be at the advantage position whether in combat or
civic approach.

2. GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY

Barangay Mt Carmel belongs to the City of Bayugan of 1 st Congressional

District of Agusan del Sur Province, CARAGA Region (Region XIII). It can be found
in the eastern part of Bayugan City.

It is bounded by the BarangayMt Ararat on the north; on the West by

Barangay La Purisima of Prosperidad; on the South by Barangay New Salem and on
the West by Barangay Pinagalaan. It is a twenty seven (27) kilometers away from
Barangay Poblacion where the city government is situated.

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

This barangay can be reached by land transportation from the city proper for
an hour. Passenger single motorcycles or “habal-habal”are being used for public
transport.

a. Land Area and Topography

Lining the east boundary line of the barangay is the Maug River. It has
anarea of1,262 hectares, characterized by flat and rolling terrains crisscrossed by
creeks. The hilly land constitutes the biggest area of the barangay.

b. Climate and Rainfall

Like the rest of barangays within the municipality, Mt Carmelfalls under the
second type of climate classification characterized by a very pronounced wet season of
heavy precipitation usually occurring in January and from October to December, with no
pronounced dry season.

Generally, the seasonal variation of climate not only in Barangay Mt Carmel as

well as the Agusan Del Sur Province is due to its geographic and topographic setting in a
peripheral position of the Asiatic mainland. These geographic and topographic settings
include the archipelagic and oceanic nature of the Mindanao Island, the relatively high
mountains in its east and west boundary and the general atmospheric circulation and
oceanic currents acting with various intensities and in different conditions.

During the months of December and January a particular type of air mass
known as the Northeast Monsoon reaches Mindanao Island from the Northeast and
East directions bringing rain to the island and specifically to the province.

c. Population

Based on the existing data, Barangay Mt Carmel has a total population of

2, 487 individuals.

Table 1: Population Size

Total Population 2,520
Total Number of Households 560
Average Household Size 5

d. Distribution of Population

The Barangay of Mt Carmel has a total population of 2,520. Purok 4 has

the largest population with a total of 396 individuals and Purok 9 has the smallest
population with 76individuals.
Table 2: Distribution of Population
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land
 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

Number of
Purok
Population
Purok 1 114
Purok 1A 106
Purok 2 118
Purok 3 243
Purok 3-A 205
Purok 4 396
Purok 5 235
Purok 6 -
Purok 7-A 370
Purok 7-B 166
Purok 7-C 134
Purok 8 128
Purok 9 76
Purok 10 -
Purok 11 198
TOTAL 2,520

e. Households and Household Size

Barangay Mt Carmel has a total of 560 households with an average

household size of four (4) individuals. The highest number of households is listed in
Purok4 which is the center of built-up area in the barangay and the lowest number of
households is in Purok9 with a total household of only eighteen (18).

Table 3: Households and Household Size

Purok Number of Households

Purok 1 39
Purok 1-A 21
Purok 2 32
Purok 3 53
Purok 3-A 30
Purok 4 87
Purok 5 55
Purok 6 -
Purok 7-A 86
Purok 7-B 38
Purok 7-C 37
Purok 8 23
Purok 9 18
Purok10 -
Purok 11 42
TOTAL 560
f. Ethnic Groups

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

Eleven (11) ethnic groups were identified in Barangay Mt Carmel. But the
highest percentage of the population is recorded as members of
Cebuano/Bisaya/Boholano tribe with a magnitude of 78.1%followed by the non-Moro
indigenous people called “Lumad” which belongs to the Manobo tribe which consists
of 13.7% of the total population and other kinfolks that migrated in the place as years
passed by.

The Manobo and other minority ethnic groups in the area are basically
subsist through logging on naturally grown logs, hunting, wood gathering, abaca
stripping, and farming. They inhabited most in the hinterland of the barangay and live
in poverty.

Table 4: Ethnic Groups

Types of
Total
Ethnic Groups
Cebuano 1771
Manobo 355
Surigaonon 115
Boholano 111
Ilongo 41
Ilocano 34
Waray 30
Kamayo/Mandaya 14
Higaonon 8
Banwaon 8
Total 2,487

g. Language

Bisaya/Cebuano is the most widely used dialect in the barangay, followed by

the native dialect of the Manobo tribe. Other folks of mixed ethnicity are now used to
speak in Cebuano.

3) SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

There is a Patrol Base in Barangay Mt Carmel, under the 8SFC, 3 rd Special

Forces Battalion that is presently based at BrgyNoli of the same City. The nearest
patrol bases that can be found are the Villa Undayon Patrol Base of Brgy Villa
Undayonand Pinagalaan Patrol Base of BrgyPinagalaanboth of Bayugan City,
Agusandel Sur.

Military patrol base within the barangay even regularly visited by their troops
the insurgents most likelyoperates in far flunk areas to generate funds through
extortion, exploit, organize and influence the mass bases for their support system
and even sanctuary and pool for their potential recruits. Moreover, this barangay is
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land
 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

categorized as CNTthreatened barangay withdeveloped local party members, local

guerrilla units and sectoral/mass organization. This is manifested by several
atrocities committed by the NPA. These include the ambush of Brgy Chairwoman
last 2012 and the harassment of the Patrol Base last February and March 2016. The
presence of the NPA and its hard core supporters in the barangay became a
common sight and occurrence and being tolerated by some local officials and the
populace.

There are no existing Community Police Assistance Center (COMPAC) in the

barangay nor observed any police visibility during regular days except on special
occasions such as fiesta or celebration of “Araw” or during visit of some VIPs. The
barangay merely relies on its CAFGU members in maintaining its peace and order
programs.

When it comes to the public order and safety in the barangay, it can be
somehow said that it has a low index crime but this is offset by the low crime solution
especially in the remote areas of the barangay that may cause the loss of trust of the
residents with the local law enforcement and in such, the CNN will exploit this to their
advantage by posing as the equalizer of justice for the common people. In general,
the presence and intervention of the CNT greatly hampers peace and order situation
of the barangay thus affecting socio-economic growth and development.

a) RELIGION

There are ten (10) existing religious groups within the barangay namely:
Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), IglesianiKristo, Filipinista, All the Gospel,
Baptist, Bible Baptist, Dose kabanay, Free Methodist, Church of God.Majority of the
population are members of the Catholic which consists of 1298 individuals or 44.5%
of the total population of the barangay. Catholicism has its root to the town since the
Spanish period as the Spaniards and friars forced the natives to embrace the
religion. The second largest minority religion in the barangay is the Seventh day
Adventist which has 40.7 % of the total population.

Table 6: Religious Affiliation

Religion Total
Seventh day adventist 1298
Catholic 1086
All the gospel 42
United Penticostal Church 31
IglesianiKristo 15
Baptist 6
Church of God 5
UCCP 4
TOTAL 2,478

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

5. HEALTH AND SANITATION

a. Seasonality of Common Illness

Cough and Colds, UTI, Acute Watery Stool,

b. Medical Health Facility, Personnel and Services

The barangay has one Barangay Health Center and a drug store
“Botikang Barangay. It has an assigned midwife with the aid of the Barangay Health
Workers who cater the health services of the people. The main health station, the
City District Hospital is twenty seven (27) kilometers away from the barangay.

Table 7: Distance to Medical Health Facilities

From Barangay To Bayugan City

Mt Carmel 20Kilometers

The table above reported is the distance of the barangay to the nearest
medical facilities (20 km).

c. Water Supply

Majority of the households are using water-system shared within the

community with 98% of the total households of the barangay. Some have their
personal water system and others are using dug/shallow well-own and shared and
river, stream, and spring.

6. MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

Households of the barangay who have television sets relyon three (3) TV
stations like ABS-CBN, GMA 7, and TV 5. Some households who do not possess
television sets rely on AM/FM radio stations offered by the local radio stations within
the province.

Cellular phones are the primarymeans of communication in the barangay

though the cellular signal is very weak and even some areas of the barangayare
considered as “dead spot” considering the distance from the cellular tower site.

7. ECONOMIC

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

a. Agricultural Land Use

Basically, Barangay Mt Carmel is considered as an agricultural based

site that capitalizes on its agricultural resources, forest and other natural resources
to support its economy and income. Its economy depends on the production of corn,
coconut, coffee, banana, vegetables and root crops.

The rolling lands and hills are generally suited to bananas, coffee,
vegetables and other root crops.

Forestry is one of the traditional sources of wealth not only in the

barangay but in the entire municipality as well and remains an activity of paramount
importance until the recent government banned on logging.

Most of the agricultural land that is presently tilled by the locals in the
barangay are not yet included in the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA).
Only a total of 64 households have the Certificate of Stewardship (CS).

Table 8: Agricultural Land Use

Commodity Area Planted

Falcata 500 Has
Coconut 300 Has
Rubber Trees 146 Has
Abaca 50 Has
Corn 50 Has
Cacao 25 Has
Rice (Palay) 25 Has
Total 1,096 Has

b. Agricultural Crops

Most of the farmers are still practicing calendar spraying. They usually
sell their products immediately after harvest while wet at the same time leaving a
certain volume for their home consumption and seedlings. Farmers cannot demand
for a higher price because of the following limitation: poor FMR condition, inadequate
post-harvest facilities, bad weather condition, and no access for capital wherein
farmers tends to be dependent to traders, local financiers and usurers when it comes
to credit assistance. These limitations were often exploited by the CNN in their so-
called ideological, political, and organizing works in the countryside. Furthermore, the
farmers disadvantages have been worsen by the existence of the monopoly or cartel
system by the local traders and financiers imposing low prices on their farm produce
and high interest rates on their “bale” or cash advance to gain more profit.
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land
 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

c. Livestock and Poultry

To augment its source of income, many residents opted to do livestock

and poultry raising, to include swine, cattle, chicken, carabao, goats and ducks.

h. Commerce and Trade/Source of Income

The barangay has 87.4 percent of households with income below the
poverty threshold and 11.3 percenthouseholds in the barangay with income below
the food threshold while household that experienced food shortage is about 11.3
percent of the total households.

The average income of household coming from salaries and wages is

about 9.2 percent and their other income comes from their agricultural and timber
products.

8. POLITICAL

Like the province and the municipalities, the barangay can sue and be sued in
court, can enter into contracts, can acquire and can hold any property and can
exercise such power as they are provided by law.

There is a more direct participation by the people in the government of the

barangay which consists of the barangay assembly and the barangay council.

The barangay assembly is the highest government body in the barangay. It is

composed of the qualified members who have resided in the barrio for at least
six months. The barangay captain presided over its meeting.

The barangay council is composed of the barangay captain and councilmen.

The members of the barangay council are elected by the barangay assembly.

Barangay Mt Carmel is headed by a duly elected Barangay Chairman and

Barangay Councilors. It is politically subdivided into 14sitios.

Aside from the elected officials of the barangay, the leadership and affairs of
the Manobo tribe through the barangay Tribal Chieftain is being recognized. The IP
leaders are being empowered to take full responsibility and accountability in every
undertaking concerning the tribe.

The following are the present Barangay Officials of BarangayMt Carmel for CY 2017-
2021.

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

BrgyCapt: MerlaPahunangAjan- Contact Number: 09306416466

BrgyKagawad:

1. Hon. Arman T. Andajar

2. Hon. Jerry Q. Montederamos
3. Hon. Elias C. CabelisJr
4. Hon. Raul S. Juli
5. Hon. Edel E. Adiente
6. Hon. Nephtale S. Marquez
7. Hon. Jesus L. Pontillas

Brgy Secretary: Mrs. Tessie L. Adajar

Brgy Treasurer: AnalizaBPaquibo
Brgy SK Chairman: Isagani T. Chiong

LIST OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS

BRGY CHIARWOMAN
Hon. Merla P. Ajan
BRGY KAGAWAD
Committee Chair on Appropriation, COM, Chair on Agriculture
Hon. Arman T. Andajar
andVice Chairman on Peace and Order
Hon. Jerry Q. Montederamos Committee Chair on Education and Vice Chairman on Appropriation
Committee Chair on Health and Vice Chairman on Women’s and
Hon. Elias C. Cabelis Jr.
Family Welfare
Committee Chair on Women’s and Family Welfare and Vice
Hon. Raul S. Juli
Chairman on Sport
Committee Chair on Environmental Protection and Vice Chairman
Hon. Edel E. Adiente
on Education
Committee Chair on Peace and Order and Vice Chairman on
Hon. Nephtale S. Marquez
Infrastructure
Committee Chair on Infrastructure and Vice Chairman on
Hon. Nephtale S. Marquez
Agriculture
Hon. Isagane T. Chiong SK CHAIRMAN
Mrs. Tessie L. Adajar Brgy Secretary
Mrs.Analiza B. Paquibo Brgy Treasurer

9. EDUCATION

The barangay has one (1) daycarecenter and one (1) complete elementary
school. There are no secondary educational schools and tertiary or vocational school
in the barangay. Elementary graduates who want to pursue their secondary
education will go to their neighboring barangays who have secondary schools.
Further, high school graduates who want to pursue their tertiary education for
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land
 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

colleges will be in the city proper, Prosperidad or in San Francisco while others go to
the more prestigious colleges in Butuan City.

Table 10: Number of Schools According to Level

Number of Number of
Name of School Enrolees
Teachers Classroom
Mt Carmel Elementary School 34 27 648

10. CULTURAL

Barangay Mt Carmel having residents of different religious faiths and mixed

ethnicities has evolved into a community of diverse cultural practices. The migrants
have great influenced on the cultural practices of the IPs particularly the Manobo
tribes. Most of them have been converted into Christianity. However, their customary
laws, rituals and traditions are still observed today.

The influence of religious belief to the culture of the people of New Salem is
evidently observed as the barangay folks celebrates the annual fiesta where it was
not only the Catholics have a good time but majority of the locals. Furthermore, the
community revels for the “Araw ng Mt Carmel” every 24 of April and Patronal Fiesta
every 28th -29th of August. .

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land