For the first time, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative or IPMR of the Municipality of Trento was selected during a procedure conducted on November 7, 2019 – at the ABC Hall in the municipality.
Attended by over 50 Tribal Leaders from various barangays in Trento, Hawudon Tabonan Alfredo Ubo was selected as the Municipal IPMR to sit in the Sangguniang Bayan and bring the voice of the IPs.
Simultaneous with the selection of Hawudon Tabonan Alfredo Ubo as the Municipal IPMR, Hawudon Agila Artemio Plaza was likewise elected as the Municipal Tribal Chieftain to oversee the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS).
During the selection procedure, guests were there to witness including the Municipal Administrator Celine Paula Calvez; Hon. Edgar Abiao; Hon. Rose Mabunga; PMAJ Regino Jr. COP of the Trento PNP; 2Lt Desmond Castillo of the 25th IB; MLGOO Milariza Beniga; Expedito Duetes, NCIP Staff and in-charge of IPMR selection process and validation; Acting Provincial Officer of NCIP Atty. Marceliano Monato III; barangay councilors; barangay chiefs; and other visitors from the IP communities.
It was said that the selection of IPMR is a provision of Section 16 of Republic Act 8371 which is recognized as the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Right Act or IPRA and guides the selection of the IPMR based on the established guidelines on selection process that emphasize leadership qualification in any nominee for the position.
Currently, 11 barangays in Trento have NCIP-validated IPMR, while three (3) are awaiting NCIP-validation – Langkilaan, New Visayas, and San Roque; and two (2) other barangays – Kapatungan and Pulang Lupa – have yet to apply for IPMR.
According to Bai Mahaba Renelita Blanco of the Council of Elders in Barangay Tudela, each IPMR is responsible for analyzing and resolving tribal disputes including the long-standing issues related to Ancestral Domain.
On the other hand, Hawudon Tabonan is deeply grateful for the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 because it brings about the birth of Oplan Hapsay Trento, and gathers the Tribal Leaders to finally select the Municipal IPMR.
“I hope that through this unified effort we can concentrate on treating the tribal disputes in our respective barangays and enhance the integration of the Manobo Tribune into the overall peace of our beloved Trento,” hopes the new MIPMR Hawudon Tabonan.
ajal
with reports from Bai Mahaba