15 IPs serve as civil registration agents

ABOUT 15 members of the Indigenous People (IP) and 39 teachers served as agents of the Indigenous People Civil Registration Program (IPCRP) and School Civil Registration Program (SCRP), an official from the Davao City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) said.

Speaking at the ISpeak Media Forum on the morning of February 8, 2024, at the DCIPC building in Davao City, the CCRO registration officer said that these programs aim to empower teaching staff from remote schools and members of the IP community. They assist unregistered students and IPs residing in the hinterlands.

“Dili na kailangan labi na tung mga lagyong barangays, dili na kinahanglan muadtu pa diri sa opisina, mubaba diri sa downtown para magparehistro sila ang mu cater (No longer do they need to come down to the office or travel downtown just to register; our agents will now cater to them),” Aredain said.

Unregistered IPs no longer have to await visits from mobile civil registration teams, and they don’t need to travel far, thanks to the selection of IP community members, including tribal leaders, as civil registration agents.

Highlighting the positive impact, Arendain noted, “Mas kumportable sila karun kay naa silay ka tribu nga maoy mag entertain sa ilaha. Magkasinabot gyud sila bisan sa ilang sariling dialect (They are more comfortable now because they are attended to by personnel from their tribe. Communication is easier since they can converse in their dialect).”

In terms of training, teachers undergo annual enhancement training and year-end evaluations, while IP registration agents participate in seminar workshops covering the basic laws of civil registration.

Arendain also announced a mall tour scheduled from February 8 to 12, 2024, where CCRO personnel will set up tables in malls, providing services to Dabawenyos.