NCIP forms task force to assist stranded IPs amid Metro Manila quarantine

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has formed a task force to assist indigenous peoples (IP) who were stranded in Metro Manila following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

At the Laging Handa public briefing on Friday, NCIP-Central Mindanao Commissioner Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las said they have given aid to IP workers affected by the "no work, no pay" policy through the "Oplan Bayanihan for Stranded IPs."

Sibug-Las said they have identified 3,121 stranded IPs in Metro Manila.

"However, dahil po sa mga challenges, like we have to personally go to their respective na kung saan sila, nahihirapan din po kami dahil iisa-isahin namin 'yung kung saan sila nakatira," she said.

Sibug-Las said the NCIP has so far served 937 IPs and yet to assist the remaining 2,184 IPs.

"The number of stranded IPs 'yung reported sa amin are growing every day," she said.

Commissioner Gaspar Cayat said the NCIP has sought assistance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other government agencies to send the indigenous peoples back to their provinces.

Cayat meanwhile cited intelligence reports that "communist-terrorist" groups continue to recruit IPs, saying 80% of the New People's Army are from this sector.

Cayat also cited incidents in the Cordillera Region and in some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao where IPs did not accept their Social Amelioration Program due to their belief that they do not need assistance if they have the ability to provide for themselves and help other IPs.

"Kaya minsan 'pag sabi nila, 'Karamihan ng mga indigenous peoples nahihirapan eh bakit ayaw pa nilang tanggapin?' Meron po kasi kaming paniniwala, halimbawa ang local term na 'Inayan,' na hindi mo basta tanggapin kung alam mo na kaya mong kumain, kaya mong tulungan ang iyong mga kasamahan na indigenous peoples kaya po merong ganoon na istorya," Cayat said.

Cayat said the NCIP has also helped indigenous peoples sell their farm harvests. --KBK, GMA News