NTF-ELCAC strengthens collaboration with IPs

By Venus May Sarmiento / Philippine Information Agency

DAGUPA CITY – In cognizance of the important roles of the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in ending and preventing insurgency, the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) conducted a nationwide provincial levelling session with the IPs to carry out the whole-of-nation approach in addressing peace and security concerns.

The first day of the three-day webinar had more than 800 participants from the provinces of Pangasinan for Region I, Quirino for Region 2, Bukidnon for Region 10 and South Cotabato for Region 12.

These included provincial government agencies, provincial, city and municipal local chief executives or representatives, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) personnel and members, ICCs, and IP Mandatory Representatives.

NCIP Commissioner Allen Capuyan, who also serves as the Executive Director of NTF-ELCAC Secretariat, said the presence of NTF-ELCAC framework of Good Governance through whole-of-government or whole-of-nation approach is a trigger and multiplier of efforts within the 1,400 plus ancestral domains.

Capuyan said the entry of agencies‘ support -programs to strengthen the ICCs/IPs Building Blocks through the NCIP provincial offices shall ensure the fulfilment of their respective mandates.

“Ang partnership ay paghawak-kamay, para we will build communities. Itayo natin ang pagpapalakas sa komunidad. Ito ay tinatawag na convergence,” Capuyan said.

He further stated that the partnership is where the government could explain their projects and where the the IPs can explain what can be done in an ancestral domain.

“Ang mga katutubo ay may sariling pamamaraan na nakasanayan na kaya mag-explain tayo sa kanila. We should not stop the process. Hindi pwedeng ang programa ng gobyerno ang maging dahlian ng away,” he said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Director Enrique Delos Santos, Jr. of NCIP Pangasinan lauded the government’s initiative to involve the IPs.

“The activity served as a forum for the IPs to air their general situation, community and individual concerns as well as their complaints which were addressed by the NCIP staff and concerned agencies. Its very apt for the whole-of-nation approach to address the problem on CTG by the NTF-ELCAC. The NCIP Pangasinan is very thankful for the time shared by NGAs, NGOs, PNP and IPs from all over the province,” Delos Santos told the Philippine Information Agency. (JCR/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)