Tingguian summit binds Abra indigenous peoples for dev’t

 BANGUED, Abra-- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the province recently held Tingguian Summit of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) with the goal to strengthen and empower IP communities for development.

Provincial IPMR Romero Daoaten, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and vice-chairperson of IP committee Antonio Dayag, and NCIP-Abra provincial officer Genesis Quiblado engaged the 78 barangay IPRMs, 20 municipal IMPRs and one provincial IPMR in dialogue on IP community development through the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

The IPMRs were reminded of their role in promoting and addressing the concerns and welfare of the barangays and municipalities that they represent. Furthermore, they shall pursue the development of and practice of IP justice system, conflict resolution and peace building mechanisms that are in line with the national legal system.

Lawyer Charles Domes of NCIP discussed the regulations in settling disputes and conflicts through the use of customary laws.

The province of Abra has the most number of IPMRs in the Cordillera region, according to Quiblado.   The assignment of IPMR in a community must be recommended through a community resolution from the ancestral domain and with the support of the LGU, he said.  

Quiblado also presented the new Tingguian building situated at Brgy. Calaba, Bangued whose Phase 1 construction is already completed and is ready for occupancy. The building funded by the ABAKADA Party-list through the initiative of former Abra IPMR, the late Cesario Baroña, and the provincial government, is equipped with ventilated rooms and spacious function hall.

Turnover of the building to the Abra Council of IPMRs and the NCIP-Abra is tentatively set in December.

The possible celebration of Tingguian Festival was also discussed during the summit.

Daoaten expressed his gratitude to NCIP-Abra and the IPMRs who attended for making the event possible in support to the 2018 National IP month. (JDP/CAGT - PIA CAR, Abra)