MISAMIS Oriental Board Member Gerardo Sabal III has called the attention of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP-10) to explain why until now the province has yet to have its Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
In his privilege speech on June 20, Sabal said he wants to summon the regional director of NCIP-10 to shed light on the absence of its IPMR in its regular sessions.
He said after the expiration of former Board Member Allan Mandokita of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as IPMR in January of this year, many tribal leaders reacted and asked for help with the NCIP.
“They (tribal leaders) sent a letter of request to the NCIP asking for help but until now it has been almost half a year already but no action has been taken by that office,” said Sabal.
Sabal said there are 14 tribal groups from different areas in the province that recently approached Gov. Peter M. Unabia and asked for the return of the representation of the indigenous people in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
In this situation, Sabal asked the favor from Provincial Vice Governor Jeremy Jonahmar G. Pelaez and the majority members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to act on this matter and to discuss this issue.
Sabal moved a resolution inviting the regional director of the NCIP-10 to explain before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan about the situation.
He said he believes the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will act on the matter before the year ends.
“The situation has created a vacuum of representation regarding indigenous people's issues and concerns in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Sabal said.
For his part Board Member Dexter Yasay, vice chair Committee on Indigenous People as he announced before the adjournment of the session that he will schedule the committee hearing soon regarding this matter.
