Friday, October 18, 2019

9th IDs Task Force Bicolandia, NCIP partners to empower IPs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 18, 2019): 9th IDs Task Force Bicolandia, NCIP partners to empower IPs

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NAGA CITY – The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) chaired by 9th Infantry Division Commander MGen. Fernando T. Trinidad in partnership with the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) Regional Office V headed by NCIP Bicol Regional Director Lee Arroyo recently spearheaded a 2-day Regional Indigenous People Empowerment Summit (RIPES) at the Peñafrancia Resort, Carolina, here.

RIPES coincided with the celebration of IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997) month.


Members of the IPs actively participate during the 2-day Regional Indigenous People Empowerment Summit (RIPES) held October 14 to 15, 2019 at the Peñafrancia Resort, Carolina, Naga City. (Photo credits 9th ID DPAO)

Held from Oct. 14 to 15, the confab gathered more or less 30 leaders representing the Indigenous Peoples (IPs). The participants are also composed of Indigenous People Mandatory representatives (IPMR) or tribe’s councilors who are given the opportunity to take part in the various discussions, particularly concerning their rights and learn about legislative matters.

In a press statement issued by the 9th Infantry Division (ID) through Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Spokesperson MAJ Ricky Anthony N. Aguilar (FA)PA, the participants are mostly from the tribes of Manide and Agta from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Sorsogon.

IPs were given orientation regarding their four bundles of rights which includes the right to ancestral domain, right to self-governance and empowerment, right to cultural integrity and right to social justice and human rights.

“They were also given lectures about insurgency. The importance of peace and order in community development was also discussed to them including discussions on farming, entrepreneurship, agri-preneurship and education,” Aguilar said.

As one of the most vulnerable sectors, most of the IPs can be easily enticed to join “suspicious” groups given their limitation to comprehend things due to lack of education. Aguilar affirmed that for the past years, IPs became one of the most vulnerable sectors of the society in terms of Communist Terrorist Group's (CTG) infiltrations.

MGen. Trinidad said that the summit has given the IPs were given the opportunity to learn about national security and made aware of the services of the government which are intended exclusively for them.

This effort is also in line with the continuous effort of the government to enjoin the various sectors of the government to support its peace efforts that have been elusive for the past decades.

This is also pursuant to the realization of Executive Order No. 70 or the Whole-Of-Nation Approach which allows for the creation of a Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) or Task Force thus, Katuninongan asin Kauswagan was created.

“ EO 70 unifies all government agencies to plan and implement programs and projects for the communities and resolve insurgency,” Trinidad added.

Along with this, Trinidad called on armed guerillas to return to the folds of the law and follow the footsteps of their former comrades who already surrendered to the government and are now enjoying a more peaceful life with their families and friends.

One of the many benefits that they can availed of is their enrolment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which gives educational, livelihood and housing assistance and firearm renumeration. (LSMacatangay, with reports from MAJRAAguilar, 9thID-PIAV/Camarines Sur)

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