Indigenous Peoples Communities gathered to pay support to the oath taking of Mabalaw Renante Boklas as the the first Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the Municipality of Claver, along with Sosaly Bago Gromo as the Barangay Representative in Barangay Urbiztondo last March 31, 2023 at the Legislative Building in the Municipality of Claver.
Opening the celebration was a ritual called Panabi or Panawagtawag led by their Mamanwa Baylan Pablo Paraw, wherein the IPs sung their traditional songs while doing an offering. Bae Banzie Porogoy and Datu Alicio Patac, leaders of the of another tribal groups graced the celebration with their members adorned in IP head dresses and costumary attire. Hon. Larry G. Escutin, President of the League of Barangays, took the lead in the oath taking ceremony.
Mabalaw Renante Boklas in his speech promised that now they are given a seat in the legislative body, he will make sure to raise their primary concerns and issues with regards to IP’s that can help them lessen their problems in the community, most particularly on health care and infrastructure projects. With this, he is very thankful of his appointment and also expressed his gratitude to his constituents for giving their trust and full support of being the 1st IPMR, who will now sit as one of the Sangguniang Bayan Members of the Municipality of Claver.
Atty. Victor Marc Bernal – NCIP Acting Provincial Officer of Surigao del Norte mentioned that this new milestone of the Indigenous People of Claver breaks discrimination and builds stronghold communication and camaraderie to the tribal culture and beliefs. With this, IP’s has now the chance to raise and voice-out their concerns and their programs in their community to uplift their living standards and help the next generations to come. (RPN DXKS Surigao via THPAL)
