TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has approved 12 ancestral domains to indigenous communities here in Region 02.
In Philippine Information Agency Region 02’s Tipon-Tipan on Tuesday, October 2, NCIP Region 02 Director Ruben Bastero said nine other ancestral domains are “on-process” of being approved.
He added that 34 more will be measured by NCIP and is slated to be finished by 2022.
Tuesday also marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of Republic Act 8371 or “The Indigenous. Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997” (IPRA) to recognize and promote IP rights.
Bastero said NCIP is focused on returning ancestral lands of IP communities since this has been the main issue regarding indigenous peoples at the time of IPRA’s execution.
Aside from granting return of ancestral domains, NCIP is also promoting the Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representation in local councils, from barangay to sangguniang panlalawigan members.
Bastero is urging local governments in the region to comply with the NCIP and the Department of Interior and Local Government’s order for mandatory IP representation in councils. He also lauded Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Brenda Belarmino-Ruma for enacting the order.
He also said the NCIP is continuously implementing Educational Assistance Program for poor and officially recognized IP pupils and students. He reported that around 1,004 students have been given assistance in the region.
Meanwhile, Bastero lamented on instances wherein some young IPs no longer know their culture and language. He urged the public and other government agencies to be “culture-sensitive” or “culture-friendly”; and to provide such manners of service. Northernforum.net