PLIGHT OF THE LUMADS. A lumad shares on the different issues they face, where they are the least represented minority whose rights have been taken for granted and exploited by business entities trying to take their ancestral lands. Supplied photo.
By Matthan Luceño
Indigenous leaders from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental converged in a training dubbed “Effective Local Governance through Quality IP Representation” held at the Manresa Tagbuan Center from March 3 to 4.
The event, conducted by the Governance and Leadership Institute of Xavier University, focused on reviewing the barangay governance framework, local legislation, Indigenous Peoples (IP) leadership in barangay governance, parliamentary procedures, and the review, highlights and reflection on Republic Act No 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA Law).
“It serves as a guiding spirit in every line of this irrefutable essence of effective leadership,” said Foster N Anayron, OIC of the Department of Interior and Local Government of Iligan City.
“It is important that the IP mandatory representatives (IPMR) are equipped with the knowledge and skills to have an effective session in the barangay,” he added in his talk.
Anayron also highlighted the importance of knowing parliamentary procedures, particularly in conducting sessions in the LGU and crafting ordinances that would be beneficial to the lumads.
Discrimination has been a problem with the IP, where they are the least represented minority whose rights have been exploited by business entities trying to take their ancestral lands.
After the training, the IP leaders expressed their gratitude for having learned about their power and responsibilities as lumad representatives of their respective communities.
“Daghan mga ordinansa ug resolusyon na gipasa sa mga barangay, gamay lang ang nitutok sa mga problema sa kumunidad, especially sa mga IP,” said Clive D Quiño of Bukidnon in his closing remarks.
[There were a lot of ordinances and resolutions passed by the barangays, but only a few focused on the problems of the communities, especially the IPs.]
The IP participants represented Valencia City, Manolo Fortich, Kibawe, Malitbog, Maramag, Talakag, Malaybalay City, Pangantucan, Lantapan, Kitaotao, Quezon, Damulog, Baungon, Kadingilan, Libona, Kalilangan, Dangcagan, Cabanglasan, Manticao, Opol, and Gingoog City.
“Gikalipay na sa Bukidnon na nahatagan og higayon ang mga IPMR, na nahatagan og tingog ang mga IP,” Quiño continued. “Hinaot na sa inyong pagpanday sa balaod, tutukan nato dili lang ang barangay kundi apil na ang kinatibuk-an na makaayo sa komunidad.”
[We’re glad that in Bukidnon, the IPMRs were given a chance, that IPs were given a voice. We hope that when you (legislators) craft laws, you will not focus only on the barangays but on the good of the entire community.]