NCIP, LGU, FULL FORCE IN PUSHING FOR IP RIGHTS!
Being true to this year’s key themes of the National Indigenous Peoples Day of convergence, sustainability, and security in the Ancestral Domains, the NCIP Pampanga Community Service Center, in cooperation with the Porac Local Government Unit, Office of the Porac Municipal IPMR, and MILKAPA-MAGKAALABAPA (CADT 123 IPS-IPO), held the first Porac Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration last October 24, 2022 in Barangay Camias.
The celebration’s highlights include the following:
1. Discussion of the 11 Building Blocks of a Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant Ancestral Domains;
2. Reporting of key accomplishments, projects, and activities for the last year by the NCIP, LGU, IPS, IPO, and the Office of the Municipal IPMR; and
3. Cultural presentations led by the Porac Lutan Ninuno Singers.
Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil expressed his gratitude to the Indigenous Cultural Communities of CADT 123 for supporting the leadership and agenda of his administration for the betterment of the municipality. He emphasized the LGU’s core principle of parallel development between the lowland (non-indigenous) and the upland communities (indigenous) of Porac. The local chief executive also expressed his appreciation to the NCIP for standing by the LGU in protecting the rights of its indigenous constituents. The honorable mayor was accompanied by several department heads of the LGU during the celebration.
Vice Mayor Francis “Budoy” Tamayo glady broke the news that the IPMR’s proposed municipal ordinance of declaring an IP Day Celebration for the town was already approved by the Sangguniang Bayan. He added that the ordinance also appropriated an amount of one million pesos (PhP 1,000,000.000) every year for the celebration. With him were the entire members of the Sangguniang Bayan witnessing and engaging during the IP Day Celebration in Camias. Municipal IPMR Edwin Abuque thanked his colleagues in the Council for supporting his legislative agenda for the IPs he is currently representing.
MILKAPA (IPS) Mamuun Benny Capuno emphasized the need for love, peace, and harmony in order to realize the 11 Building Blocks and this year’s theme of convergence, sustainability, and security inside their ancestral domain. Full of emotions, MAGKAALBAPA (IPO) Chairman Roman King paid tribute to all their ancestors and forefathers who valiantly fought, one way or another, in order for their community to be finally recognized and respected by no less than the government. Mr. King thanked the NCIP through the leadership of Chairperson Allen Capuyan for awarding their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) earlier this year. The IPO head also expressed his deep appreciation of the current ways forward being implemented by the NCIP Pampanga towards fulfilling their rights as indigenous peoples.
Chief Kevin Fonseca of NCIP Pampanga, apologized on behalf of the Commission, for any lapses, gaps, shortcomings or harm that the institution may have inflicted to the indigenous peoples of CADT 123. Corollary to this, he committed the NCIP Pampanga to tirelessly work towards full healing, reconciliation, and correcting historical injustice vis-à-vis fulfillment of their rights enshrined in the Constitution and Repuclic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997.
The celebration ended on a highly positive note with indigenous rituals and contemporary cultural presentations making it more significant for the indigenous community. NCIP Pampanga would like to express its gratitude to our development partners specially the Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO), and the Porac LGU IP Affairs Office led by Mr. Relito “Taps” Laxamana for making this celebration a success!
