Reps for indigenous peoples vital in legislative councils, says NCCA

As the country observes the Indigenous Peoples' Month, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts on Saturday stressed the importance of representatives for Indigenous Peoples in the policy-making processes of local government units, and other local legislative councils.

"Pinakamahalaga din yan dahil self-governance and implementation 'yan. Dapat maka-participate ang [Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMRs)] sa local governance," Pablito Gonzales, head of the National Committee on Central Cultural Communities under the NCCA, said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

In his town's case in Negros Occidental, Gonzales said they are tapping municipalities and barangays for the representation of IPMRs.

"Noong isang araw mayroong nag-take oath na IPMR in Kabangkalan City. The other week, sa Oriental. So patuloy ang pagtulong ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)," he said.

Gonzales' comments came as the NCIP said it was dismayed for a lack of IP representatives in legislative councils. —LBG, GMA News