A forty-person delegation, mostly members of the Kolibugan Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), from the Sirawai Municipality of Zamboanga del Norte paid a courtesy call to the National Commission on Indigenous Central Office. They were met by Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan, Executive Director Rogelio Francisco “Jing” M. Bantayan, Jr., Director Reynaldo A. Dingal of the Office on Empowerment and Human Rights, Engr. Shelley S. Calata, Chief, Delineation and Recognition Division of the Ancestral Domains Office. NCIP Region 9 officials through zoom.

The hybrid program was opened by ED Jing Bantayan, Jr, and was facilitated by Director Dingal. After the exchange of pleasantries, Hon. Mayor Gamar A. Janihim Al-Hadji, the head of the delegation presented their issues and concerns which affect the Kolibugan ICCs/IPs.

The group’s first concern was the IP mandatory representation for their province. He explained that with the end of the current provincial IPMR’s term last December 2021, there is a pressing need to finalize the current local guidelines for provincial IPMR. They have set a meeting for this purpose last January 2022 but it did not push through. The meeting is crucial since there is a need to ensure inclusivity of representation in all ICCs/IPs. With this, the NCIP Region 9 will have to ensure that the local guidelines will be finalized.

The second concern presented was the need for funding support for their ancestral domains. With this the Chairperson directed Dir. Dingal and Engr. Calata regarding the support options that could be made.

The delegation expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the Chairperson and their optimism for the resolution of the concerns they have presented.

Finally, the Chairperson provided the delegation with copies of the NCIP 2021 annual report as well as sets of the three-volume EPANAW Coffee Table Book. After the photo-ops, the meeting was closed by Executive Director Bantayan.