No council seat for IPs in 67 LGUs – DILG
MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-seven local government units (LGUs) did not designate a representative of indigenous peoples (IPs) in their local legislative council.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said two provinces, 14 towns and 51 barangays were found to be non-compliant with the provisions of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), which mandates seats for representatives of indigenous communities in local legislative councils.
The LGUs were given until May 5 to submit an explanation.
“Ang mga karapatan ng mga IPs ay nasa batas at dapat nating sundin ang batas. Sila ay bahagi ng ating kasaysayan at kultura. Dapat natin silang hayaang lumahok sa ating mga gawaing pangkomunidad at pakinggan ang kanilang panig sa mga usaping pang-LGU,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.
IP representation include fund allocation for salaries and recognition by higher levels of LGUs.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) also mandates IP representation under Administrative Order 2021-01.
In a letter to Año, NCIP Chairman Allen Capuyan said 530 other LGUs are qualified for IP representation.
These IP representatives are tasked to carry out the collective interest and aspirations of the ICC in consultation with their leaders and elders.
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