Cagayan de Oro – Passage of an Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) code and the titling of the remaining lands classified under ancestral domain are two of three priorities cited by the IP representative to the Cagayan de Oro City Council.
The City Council welcomed its newest member, Councilor Roberto Cabaring also known as Datu Makilala of the Higaonon Tribe, during its regular Monday afternoon session on June 3. In their May 27 session, the council approved Resolution No. 14195-2022 that amended their house rules to allow the inclusion of an IP mandatory representative in their ranks.
The same council resolution also created the committee on cultural communities as a separate standing committee. The IPMR inclusion is in accordance to Republic Act (RA) 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997. IP representation is also mandated through Administrative Order 2021-01 issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
In his speech Councilor Cabaring thanked his supporters who were in attendance while acknowledging that his selection has been a subject of complaints which Council Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas said could only be resolved by the NCIP. As an ex-officio member, Cabaring serves a three-year term upon NCIP confirmation and can serve an additional six years.
Cabaring asked the council to help him prioritize the titling of lands classified under ancestral domain in the city and to promote cultural integrity among the IP community in the city. He also asked the council to enact an IP Code. ‘This code will help resolve whatever differences and disputes among the IP communities due to their differing beliefs,’ Cabaring said in Visayan.
News and photo courtesy of CIO CDO