New ‘Bago’ NCIP Cordi director assumes office

By Rocky Ngalob

BAGUIO CITY – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP – CAR) has a new director --

Dr. Manuel Jaramilla who assumed office Monday.

In his turn-over message, outgoing NCIP – CAR regional director,  Roland Calde said Jaramilla won’t be hard up in adjusting to CAR relative to duties and responsibilities of NCIP since he is “Bago” (indigenous folks usually of Ilocano or Igorot lineage who usually live in the boundaries of the Cordillera and Ilocos Region). 

Calde, who will assume as regional director of NCIP – Region 1 told Jaramilla issues and concerns revolving IPs in Region 1 (Ilocos) are  similar to Cordillera.

“IPs in Region 1, who ascribe themselves belonging to the ‘Bago’ IP groups were once part of Cordillera. It just so happened that they were separated by political boundary,” said Calde.

Indigenous knowledge, systems and practices of IPs from Region 1 according to Calde, share resemblances from IPs of CAR. 

Jaramilla in his acceptance message affirmed Calde’s take on the ‘Bago’ IP groups of Region 1.

He said he belongs to the ‘Bago’ IPs of Region 1.

He thanked NCIP – CAR for the warm welcome wherein he was treated as a brother within a common tribe.

He vowed to continue work started by Calde in CAR.

Jaramilla traces his roots from the ‘Bago’ IP group of Capariaan, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

He is married to a fellow civil servant at the Capariaan Elementary School. They are blessed with six children.

Jaramilla rose from the ranks of first level civil servant. He first worked as Livestock Inspector of the then Ministry of Agriculture in 1981.

He later was Storekeeper at the National Manpower Youth Council of Region 1.

He spent most of 1995 to 2018, still as a civil servant, jumping from one position to another at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

He was appointed as NCIP regional director for Region 1 last September 1, 2018.    

Following the turn-over ceremony, Jaramilla was given a brief orientation by the heads of NCIP – CAR on situation of IPs in the Cordillera.

“I think my head will be doing a lot brain calisthenics,” Jaramilla joked after his brief orientation. 

Calde urged NCIP – CAR personnel and Cordillerans to have the same amount of support given to him to the incoming NCIP – CAR regional director.

The reassignment of the two regional directors according to NCIP Commissioner, Gaspar Cayat was due to orders of NCIP Chairman, Allen Capuyan.