Sibagat recognizes tribal contributions to municipality's progress
AGUSAN DEL SUR -- The local government of Sibagat recognized the existence and valuable contributions of the indigenous peoples (IPs) during the recently held convocation and flag-raising ceremony hosted by the Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
This was in line with the celebration of the 2024 National Indigenous Peoples Month and 27th Indigenous Peoples RIghts Act (IPRA) Commemoration with the theme, "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalaagan, at Parangalan."
In her message, Municipal Vice Mayor Ma Liza L. Evangelista stressed that inclusivity in the municipality should be sustained especially among the Indigenous Peoples and other sectors.
Hawudon Lumad II Samuel Behing, municipal indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) discussed the importance of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act and the concept of free and prior informed consent.
"Daghan na kita nasugdan na angayan ipadayon (We have started a lot that should be continued as well)," Behing stressed.
"Akong hangyo, isip kabahin sa paglambo sa lungsod sa Sibagat, dili unta nato mabiyaan ang tribo (I asked that as Sibagat continues to develop, we should also not leave the tribe here)," he added as he highlighted the fast paced developments brought about by technology and modern innovations.
Also, Nilda Barcelona of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Sibagat satellite office attended the activity together with other municipal offices and agencies. (NCIP-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
