NCIP holds 3-day Indigenous People’s confab
By Ana-Liza Macatangay
NAGA City --- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Bicol Regional office conducted a three-day activity in Camarines Sur from September 26 to 27, at the LRV Atrium, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in Pili, Camarines Sur and on Sept. 28 at San Ramon Covered Court, San Ramon, Iriga City.
More or less 145 IPs from various parts of the region took part in the event.
Dubbed “Healing, Reconciliation and Operationalizing the 11 Building blocks in the Ancestral Domain in Support to the Whole of Government/ Whole of Nation approach by Empowering the Former Rebels (FRs), IP Youth/IP-Eps and IP leaders,” the activity aims to level off the understanding of all its stakeholders on the significance of these 11 Building blocks in the life of various ethnic groups as they pushed for a more empowered IP community.
The 11 Building Blocks encapsulate the concerns of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), specifically regarding recognition, respect, protection, and promotion of their rights as Indigenous People and as partners in nation-building, peace advocacy, and as an ally in development.
“The 3-day activity endeavors to develop core communications to advocate the importance of the 11 Building Blocks, develop and support its operationalization and come up with ways forward and actionable items to be undertaken in each of the Ancestral domains or lands. We would like to see the collaboration and synchronization of all the efforts of all our stakeholders like the AFP, PNP, LGUs, ICCs/IPs, public and private sectors and agencies of the government,” NCIP Bicol Regional Director Agosto B. Maglunsod said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Sur.
Maglungsod said that on the first day of the confab, they enjoined heads/ representatives of various sectors to participate in the discussion concerning Republic Act (RA) No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.
A lecture on Culture Sensitivities and burning issues regarding the IP communities in their specific areas of jurisdiction was part of the discussion.
Lucky IP recipients received a Certificate of Recognition of Ancestral Domain (CRAD).
Local Chief Executives, local government agencies, IP leaders, FRs, IP-EP, IP Youth, regional and provincial PNP, infantry brigades and infantry battalions, and other stakeholders will be part of the signing of the peace of covenant on the 2nd day of the confab.
On the 3rd day, there was an Ancestral Domain Visitation activity at Ramon Elementary School Covered Court, Iriga City, particularly on the Agta and Agta Tabangnon Of Iriga City Ancestral domains.
Gracing the occasion are NCIP Chairperson Secretary Allen A. Capuyan, Camarines Sur 5th District Representative Luis Miguel Villafuerte, Camarines Sur Governor Vincenzo Renato “Luigi” Villafuerte, and Iriga City Mayor Rex Oliva. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)