City officials recently commended with appreciation the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Baguio and all its personnel headed by City Desk Officer Urbano B. Mirante.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that the NCIP–Baguio is appreciated for standing by the Ibalois of the city, including its earnest and relentless efforts in appealing for the revocation of the suspension of the processing of ancestral land claims in the city.
The council anchored its action on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that stated indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied, or otherwise used or acquired.
Further, indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories, and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.
It added that States shall give legal recognition and protection to the said lands, territories, and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous peoples concerned.
In the Philippines, former Senator Juan Flavier, recognizing the immediate need for the protection of the Filipino indigenous peoples, sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 1728 where despite several amendments, was finally approved and signed into law by the late President Fidel V. Ramos and became what is now known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 or Republic Act (RA) 8371.
The NCIP is the implementing government agency of the IPRA and its primary mandate is to protect and promote the interest and wellbeing of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples with due regard to their belief, customs, traditions and institutions.
In the city, the NCIP-Baguio, despite the adverse stand of the NCIP Commissioners, including the regional office, on the continuation of ancestral land application processing in the city and the pressure to yield to the direction set forth by the Revised City Charter regarding ancestral lands, have remained resolute and a staunch ally of the Ibalois of the city.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the NCIP city, regional and central offices for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
