Ilocos Norte elects first IP PB member

By Mariell Pahinag

LAOAG CITY -- The Province of Ilocos Norte elected its first indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena last Nov. 15
    In accordance with the National Commission of Indigenous People's (NCIP) mandatory law to have IP representatives in local government boards, the province's first IPMR was chosen through open nomination process.
    Members of the Indigenous Peoples Selection Body then stood behind the candidate they had selected.
Cheryll Borromeo Tabangay, a child development worker in Nueva Era town was selected by majority of IPs with 78 votes.
    Her closest opponent, Lorenzo Padama, a Yapayao from Barangay Kalaw of Dumalneg, garnered 63 votes.
    The representation of indigenous communities in the highest legislative body of the province had been a priority of Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc.
    Among his earliest executive orders was creation of a health council to address medical needs of indigenous communities, particularly in far-flung areas which he signed in 2019.
    During the recent executive-legislative agenda workshop of the provincial government, Gov. Marcos Manotoc cited urgency to elect an IP Representative to the Provincial Board.
    Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta Marcos, who was present during the said election, expressed her contentment and welcomes the first IP representative under her helm.
    Following selection of IPMR at the provincial level, Atty. lawyer Agbayani, NCIP provincial legal officer, said that the NCIP will transmit the result to the NCIP regional office, which will issue a certificate of affirmation, before Tabangay can formally take her oath with Gov. Marcos Manotoc.