MANILA -- National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chairman Allen Capuyan on Tuesday pledged to bridge and to strengthen the coordination between communities and government agencies in linking the latter's projects and programs for IPs.
Capuyan made the remark during the celebration of the 22nd Anniversary of Republic Act 8371, or the Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), at a jam-packed town hall in Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal.
"We have a whole-of-nation approach. There are a lot of programs from different government agencies for the indigenous people but the problem is that IPs cannot fully embrace these opportunities,” Capuyan told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.
“Secondly, the agency was not able to properly craft ways to connect with the communities -- these are what we are working on now," he added.
Photo by Joey Razon
At present, Capuyan said there are a number of projects focused on socio-economic aspects laid down for the IPs.
During the program, Papu Octavio Pranada, a leader of the Dumagat, sought protection and support for the IPs living in the mountains.
"Tulungan niyo kaming mga tribo na maiayos ang aming pamumuhay dito sa aming barangay, lalo na doon sa mga taga-NCIP naming. Higit po ninyo kaming i-guide sa tama at makatuwirang pamamahala sa aming lugar (To our officials of NCIP, help us to correct the way we live here in our barangay, guide us properly towards the right and reasonable governance of our community)," he said in his message.
The NCIP chief, meanwhile, promised the members of the Dumagat-Remontado tribe that he would protect their rights and hear their concerns.
"Ako po ay nanunumpa na ipaglalaban ko ang inyong mga karapatan (I promise to fight for your rights)," he said.
"As chair, I want to assure that the NCIP, as an organization, will be relevant and responsive to the IPs’ need in this age. For the community, they need to be resilient and must be capacitated and empowered," Capuyan noted.
Photo by Joey Razon
The official also mentioned the Kaliwa Dam project, saying his office would set a meeting "anytime next week" with stakeholders and the community involved.
The China-funded dam project is facing opposition from groups that claim that the construction of the Kaliwa Dam would displace IPs.
"Ang meeting ay sa amin ding opisina para marinig namin 'yong full presentation ng technical description, together with the community. May mga kuwento na ito lulubog, ito hindi lulubog. Gusto kong masiguro na 'pag sinabing ito ay lulubog, 'yon talaga ay lulubog at 'pag sinabing hindi, hindi lulubog. Maganda 'yong lahat, mailatag talaga (The meeting will be in our office so that we can personally see the full presentation of the technical description. There were stories about lands that will sink. We want to make sure what's true)," he said.
The 22nd IPRA Day celebration was marked with a series of cultural presentations led by the Dumagat-Remontado children and the presentation of scholarship in the barangay.
The NCIP also conducted a medical and dental mission and presented the students with some school supplies. (PNA)
