Summit pushes for effective, efficient IP representation

THE KOMISYON sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) under the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is pushing for a more effective and efficient indigenous peoples leadership and representation in local governance during the 2018 Summit sa Wika ng Pamamahala ng mga Katutubo held last week.

Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from the different regions convened at the University of the Philippines Baguio for a summit which aims to strengthen the capacities of IPMRs to represent indigenous communities and protect and promote local culture and language.

KWF Commissioner Purificacion Delima said, “Nais naming bigyan ng mas mataas pang antas ng karunungan ang ating mga IPMR na magpapalakas sa kanila bilang lider pangwika at pangkultura.”

Delima added there is a need for capacitybuilding of IPMRs for them to perform their duties and responsibilities as IP representatives in local government councils.

Based on talks and discussions, participants came up with resolutions on additional provisions on maritime territories for indigenous communities, 10 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment for programs and projects of IPMRs, governance of the Enhanced National Greening Program located in ancestral lands, equal benefits for IPMRs and elected officials of the council, recognition of communal intellectual properties of the indigenous people, validation of duties and qualifications of IPMRs, and the recognition of customary laws in courts.

The resolutions signed by 96 indigenous peoples representatives from all over the country will be submitted for discussion and action of concerned agencies.

Topics of the threeday summit also in-

cluded the revised IPMR Laws, local and regional governance, public service, communication and networking, disaster preparedness, governance of ancestral domain, and best practices on governance of indigenous communities.

The Summit sa Wika ng Pamamahala ng mga Katutubo is the third summit organized by the KWF towards building a stronger Filipino national identity.