IP summit to address problems in Davao Occidental uplands (PLGUDavOcc/Marivic Hubac /PIA-11, Carina L. Cayon)

MALITA, Davao Occidental (PIA) – The provincial government here hosted a two-day summit of indigenous people (IP) until last Friday, March 23, to identify the solutions to the problems besetting their communities in the uplands of Davao Occidental.

Dubbed as “Pangapogan,” a native term which means harvest and celebration, the summit was held in support to the provincial government’s “Upland First Policy Program,” a strategy to attain sustainable peace and development in the uplands.

Critical issues on protecting the rights of women and children, the impact of martial law in the cultural communities, the role of the IPs in sustaining peace and development were among the topics discussed during the summit.

Part of the summit was a workshop in which participants were grouped by municipality in order for them to identify their common problems.

The provincial government, in turn, presented solutions which were already integrated with its development and investment programs.

The summit concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the governor, municipal mayors, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) and tribal elders.

Officials and representatives of national government agencies served as witnesses in the agreement.

The MOU aims to strengthen partnerships among the parties in the full implementation of all socio-economic and development programs initiated by the provincial government.