Tabuk City establishes tribal bodies for peace

By Larry T. Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Tabuk city government has established barangay counterparts of its Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council Office (MBCCO), a tribal body that assists the city government in its peace and order advocacy.

Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban said the move aims to bring to the grassroots the office and services of the body instead of folks going to the city hall.

Since its organization, the MBCCO has effectively contributed in the amicable settlement of disputes of parties belonging to tribes and even families in Tabuk.

It is composed of council of elders and leaders from the tribes of Tabuk.

For its accomplishments, the Matagoan program received the prestigious GalingPook Award in 2009.

Asked if the body has any conflict with the functions of other duly formed bodies like the Luponsa Barangay, Tubban said delineation of jurisdiction has been established.

The two bodies at the barangay level function and exist as complimentary, instead of adversaries, where each one respects the role of the other.

Cases for settlement brought before the MBCCO are first tried for amicable resolution without prejudice to the role of the Lupon, depending on what the parties involved may decide.

The tribal body tackles cases that are more tribal in nature, when it is seen more effective, before the dispute gets complicated.

The city government is now working to make these bodies become stronger at the barangay level as part of its peace and order campaign.