LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – Lagawe’s Barangay Poblacion North is especially impressive in advancing the cost of indigenous peoples, particularly on attaining the goal of appointing the barangay council’s indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR).
Punong Barangay Emerson Inhumang gave assurance that he was conducting a well-coordinated effort to fill the slot for the barangay council’s IPMR.
Inhumang expressed confidence that he shall be able to have a “good and dedicated IPMR” who will help him realize a better and more progressive barangay.
“I am hoping for the best to come in terms of what this barangay really wants,” he said.
Nearly 120 residents attended recently a consultation meeting aimed to jumpstart the search for IPMR aspirants.
Former provincial agriculturist Domingo Mariano said this development was aimed “significant victory for IPs rights and welfare.” Mariano is a resident of the barangay.
“This action by the Población North Barangay Council sends a clear message that the well-being of ethnic Filipinos is very important. Their rights must be upheld and protected at all times,” he said.
“Let us continue to advocate for IP folks so that they may further contribute to the task of nation-building,” he told the ZigZag Weekly.
Mariano, also president of the village’s home owners’ subdivision organization, has unselfishly helped a lot of IP farmers in the town and elsewhere. It is indeed a proof of the genuineness of his compassion for them.
The well-conducted activity gave the participants insights of the role, qualifications and functions of the IPMR, so that the villagers may get a reasonably true picture of the world in which he or she lives.
This underscores the positive outlook of some officials, despite the economic challenges. Economic uncertainties are a major constraint in IP communities. This reflects ongoing worries about potential disruptions and difficulties brought about by damages to agriculture in IP areas battered by typhoons Dante (international name: Francisco). Irrigation and agricultural facilities were damaged in Lagawe.
An activity facilitator meticulously explained the requirements and even a letter of intent to be submitted by the aspirant. What was the effect of all these explanations?
The participants, mostly women, listened to Punong Barangay Inhumang declaring how essential is the IPMR and how many wonders the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) had worked through the years.
Along with the IPMR, Inhumang assured his constituents that he will work hard for the people, especially to promote the IP cause.
About six million Filipinos make up the so-called cultural minority group or tribal
Filipinos which collectively comprise 12 percent of the total population. One of the 60 ethnological groups in the country is Ifugao.
Of the provincial total, Lagawe had a few numbers of IPMRs in the grassroots level. Province-wide, the government has a lot of catching up to do.
It shows the need for a high dose of reality check on the ground. “With a well-crafted strategy and comprehensive approach, the aspiration for the betterment of the IPs can be doable,” Inhumang said.
Currently, many poor IP families are getting distressed by soaring food prices. The first and most pressing need, therefore, is to provide their means to survive. Daily survival is essential to them. What assistance is there to help them just bounce back to a normal life? Well, there’s the 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) to provide them at least meaningful relief. But, it’s only a dole out.
And so, lastly, there’s so much expectations for the IPMR to effectively and sufficiently address the fundamental aspirations of indigenous peoples. **By Anthony A. Araos
