12 May 2023 | The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) conducted Ancestral Domain (AD) visitation meetings with different Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in CARAGA at the Agusan Del Norte Provincial Training Center, Capitol Grounds, Butuan City.

 

NCIP Chairperson led the activity along with NCIP XIII Region 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 discussion pertain to peace and order, security of IP leaders, illegal selling of lands within ADs, overlapping functions of Indigenous People Structure, Indigenous People Organization, IPMRs and compliance with FPIC processes.

 

It was also agreed that IP leaders must be proactive in building partnerships with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines; a directive was also ordered to validate selling with the AD. It was also agreed to strengthen the IPMR Local Guidelines and uphold customary laws in the selection of IP leaders.