13 May | The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) conducted 2nd day of Ancestral Domain (AD) visitation meetings with Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office in Butuan City.

 

The NCIP Chairperson led the activity along with NCIP XIII Regional Director Ordonio P. Rocero, Jr.; while Chairman Lipatuan Joel Unad represented Mindanao Indigenous Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL); also present were Elders and Tribal Leaders and NCIP Regional and Provincial staff. The rest joined the meeting through zoom.

 

The concerns discussed the alleged renewal of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) without compliance to a Free and Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC); and the status of Uja-Ondima Clan’s Ancestral Land claim within CADT 048 need to be pursued.

 

NCIP Region XIII Office will investigate if there was an approved renewal on MPSA without undergoing the FPIC process. As to Uja-Ondima Clan’s concerns, it was recommended than concern parties (with in the clan) need to get their acts together else a CEB directive will be issued to that effect.