Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in this capital town are encouraged to continue upholding customary laws and practices, at the same time be the voice of the community concerning indigenous people’s rights.
This was the gist of the message of Atty. Wilson Kalangeg, the Provincial Director of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) – Provincial Office during the 4th quarter meeting of the IPMRs on December 14, 2018 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
Atty. Kalangeg reminded the IPMRs some of their powers, functions, duties and mandates. Some of these include intervention in cases which is advisable to be settled or resolved in the barangay level before it will be filed in court, involvement in the solution of boundary disputes, advocate the protection of watersheds, ensure that programs and projects implemented in their respective barangay 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. With this, Atty. Kalangeg urged the IPMRs not to burn out of their functions, duties and mandates as the community needs them.
“Your wisdom and guidance as elders in the community are respected. For without you, the rights of the IP communities will not be heard and recognized,” he remarked.
Relative to this, the IPMRs in Bontoc 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 together with the IPMRs of Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili, Bontoc Ili, Caneo, Caluttit, Dalican, Guina-ang, Gonogon, Mainit, Samoki, Talubin, Tocucan and Samoki when they reported their accomplishments during the meeting. The IPMRs of Bayyo and Poblacion were not present due to equally important matters they have to attend too.
Among the highlighted accomplishments of the IPMRs are their involvement in resolving conflicts either among the community members or in relation to neighboring and other communities such as land disputes; practice of customary rituals in weddings, on deaths, thanksgiving, community traditional practices and others; attendance in barangay and municipal council meetings, seminars, trainings and orientations; and participation in community activities such as clean-up drives and repair of public infrastructures damaged due to recent typhoons.
Spearheaded 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.** Alpine L. KIlla, Bontoc LGU
