TABUK CITY, Kalinga – City Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero and Kalinga State University (KSU), headed by Univ. Pres. Dr. Joy P. Doctor, showed support and promised continuous collaboration with the barangay Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) in the city during the workshop on Navigating the Policy Landscape: A Toolkit for Indigenous Communities.
According to the mayor, through his representative City Information Officer Aurora Amilig, this alliance with the university is crucial in crafting policies that resonate with indigenous aspirations as the university is dedicated to amplify indigenous voices and also to promote and preserve Kalinga culture and traditions.
On November 22, 2024, at KSU Kalinga Cultural Heritage Building, Project Director Dr. Juan Moshe Duyan, reflected on the inked Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Mayor Estrañero and former Univ. Pres. Eduardo Bagtang, with the city IPMRs on September 2. The MOA focuses on “Bridges for Ancestors’ Dreams (B.A.D.): Empowering Indigenous Voices in Policy and Advocacy.
Under the MOA, the IPMR office is committed to protecting the rights and interests of the indigenous community, and the university is dedicated to promoting social justice and fostering community engagement.
Duyan said that the workshop was the first step toward fulfilling the MOA. He emphasized the importance of empowering the IPMRs to fully utilize their roles in advancing indigenous aspirations. “Usaren tayo dagiti powers yu bilang na-appointaran a barangay IPMRs,” he said.
“Tulungan mi dakayo kadagiti kayat yu nga maaramid,” the Project Director assured, expressing the university’s readiness to support the IPMRs’ initiatives.
The event was also attended by city IPMRs Benigno Duyan and Sandra Uyam. Alfred Balisong, representing Vice Mayor Dick Bal-o, delivered a message of support on behalf of the Vice Mayor. By Tabuk PIO
