Law needed before tribal sector can have council seat

CEBU, Philippines -- A local legislation giving voice to indigenous people should be passed before a tribal sector can be allocated a seat in the Cebu City Council. 

This was the opinion of assistant city administrator Dominic Dino after the Kinatas-ang Kahugpungan sa Kapupud-an Datus Aliamaong wrote Mayor Michael Rama to ask for a seat in the council. 

 Under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA), the localgovernment units are required to ensure the “genuine participation” of theindigenous people in the legislative body.

Section 6 on the Rule IV of the National Commission on Indigenous People also provides that the Lumads shall be given “mandatory representation” in policy-making and local legislative body.

But Dino said the selection must have been satisfied by the IPrepresentative concerned.

He raised a concern whether the members of Datus Aliamaong group has done a selection process.

“If so, who will certify to the fact that such has been complied with,” Dino said, explaining that the representative of the tribal sector will receive compensation, benefits and other emoluments equal to the same privilege that regular members of the council receive.

Dino said that necessary appropriations should be needed considering the fact that this is the first time that indigenous people are represented in the City Council. 

“It is recommended that the matter of representation to the city council may be endorsed to the City Council for appropriate measures to adopt,” Dino said.

Dino added that the mayor may accommodate the indigenous people representative as casual employee.

Last week, the group pushed for representation in thebarangay councils of Capitol Site, Kamputhaw and Cogon Ramos.

Capitol Site Barangay Captain Manuel Guanzon said a certain Lorebel Belotindos, who goes by the name of Datu Dila, claimed she has the right to be in the barangay council by virtue of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997. 

But the barangay officials rejected the tribe’s move, saying it is subject to the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). — (FREEMAN)