PRESIDENT Duterte has authorized the indemnification of death and burial benefits to indigenous peoples mandatory representatives (IPMR) who may depart while serving their terms.
This after Malacañang issued Executive Order (EO) 139 providing the entitlements, citing the provision of Republic Act (RA) 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Right Act.
Under RA 8371, IPs shall be given mandatory representation in all policy-making bodies and other legislative councils including the barangay level.
“There is a need to recognize the invaluable contribution of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives in the barangays through, among others, the grant of benefits enjoyed by similarly situated officials,” President Duterte said in the issuance released to the media only on Monday.
The new benefits will be given to IPMRs, who died during their terms of office.
The funding for the benefit will be taken from the Special Provision on the Barangay Official Death Benefits Fund from the 2020 and 2021 national budget.
The President ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)) and the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to determine the total budget for the payment of the said benefits.
EO 139 took effect on June 18, 2021 after it was signed by President Duterte.