Bontoc IPMRs cited by NCIP; urged to uphold tribal laws

By Alpine L. KIlla

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in this capital town were urged to continue upholding customary laws and practices and be voice of the community concerning indigenous people’s rights.

This was the gist of the message of lawyer Wilson Kalangeg, provincial director of the National Commission on Indigenous People during the 4th quarter meeting of the IPMRs here Dec 14 at the Bontoc municipal capitol.

Among accomplishments of the IPMRs were their involvement in resolving conflicts either within the community members or to neighboring and other community such as land disputes; practice of customary rituals in wedding, death, thanksgiving, community traditional practices and others; attendance to barangay and municipal council meetings, seminars, trainings and orientation; and participation in community activities such as clean-up drives and repair of public infrastructures damaged  due to recent typhoons.

                Kalangeg cited IPMRs their powers, functions, duties and mandates.

Some of these include intervention in cases where is advisable to be settled or resolved in the barangay level before it will be filed in court, involvement in the solution of boundary dispute, advocate protection of watersheds, ensure that programs and projects are culture-sensitive and assist and participate in the documentation of customary laws.

He added that despite modernization, customary practices and laws should be respected and observed in which the IPMRs have significant roles.

 Kalangeg urged the IPMRs not to turn out of their functions, duties and mandates as the community needs them.

“Your wisdom and guidance as elders in the community is respected. For without you, the rights of the IP communities will not be heard and recognized,” he remarked.

IPMRs in Bontoc have proved that they continue to uphold customary laws and practices in their respective villages.

This was reflected in the reports of municipal IPMR Tomas Longatan  with IPMRs of Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili, Bontoc Ili, Caneo, Caluttit, Dalican, Guina-ang, Gonogon, Mainit, Samoki, Talubin, Tocucan and Samoki.

Headed by the Bontoc municipal government through the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan and the NCIP provincial office, the quarterly meeting of the IPMRs is an avenue for the latter to report their accomplishments, discuss IP issues and concerns and strengthen camaraderie among IPMRs in the locality.