IP Rep. Sudagar vacates post

DAVAO City Councilor Bai Halila Sudagar has already vacated her post as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), as the effectivity of her Certificate of Affirmation (COA) from the National Commission on Indigenous People’s expired on March 30, 2018.

Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag said during the first session of the council after the Holy Week held yesterday that Sudagar will no longer sit as councilor as her term has already expired.

“She is not anymore part of the council and the seat for IP representative is now vacant until the new IP representative is selected by the NCIP through the selection process,” he said.

Al-ag, in an interview during lunch recess, said the NCIP will decide who will replace Sudagar and its selection process will be held on April 12.

“After the selection process, the NCIP must issue a certificate of affirmation, once he or she has that COA, he or she will become part of the council representing the IP sector,” he said.

He said a representative from Klata tribe (predetermined through the 11 tribe’s alphabetical order) will replace Sudagar, who is a Kagan, and he is hopeful that the NCIP will release a COA for the new appointee before the month ends.

Al-ag said the council now has 25 members since they are still waiting the appointment papers of Barangay Captain Carmelo Clarion from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Clarion was selected by the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod to replace the vacant post left by Al-ag after he took oath as vice mayor.