Acknowledging the vital role of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in a culturally rich local governance setting and cognizant to the need to apprise them of their role in local legislation and promoting peaceful co-existence, the Office of the Provincial IPMR and Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) Quirino Chapter with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Quirino, conducted a two-day training entitled “IPMR:PReserving Our Traditions and Empowering Culture-Sensitive Tribe (I PROTECT)” on March 13-14, 2019 at Wilmer’s Hotel and Resort, Santiago City.

Attended by a total of 130 participants from the six (6) municipal and 132 barangay governments of Quirino composed of IPMRs and Punong Barangays, the activity is an initiative to ensure the full participation of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples within the framework of national unity and development by enhancing their capacities.

Atty. Alexander Pilotin, Regional IPMR Focal Person of NCIP Region 02; Atty. Julie Rose G. Castañeda of DILG Regional Office 02; Atty. Jeremy Pescador, the Legal Officer of NCIP Quirino; and Judge Frederick T. Cabbigat of Municipal Circuit Trial Court Banaue-Mayoyao-Hungduan, Ifugao served as resource speakers during the activity. Discussions focused on the salient provisions of Administrative Order No. 001 Series of 2009; RA 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) Law; the four (4) bundles of rights; mandatory activities in the selection of IPMR; and the IP justice system.

NCIP Region 02 Regional Director Ruben S. Bastero expressed in his message his hope that with the knowledge acquired through the activity, IPMRs will now exercise their right to participate fully at all levels of decision-making particularly in matters affecting their development.# (Source: LGOO II Blessing Grace G. Sagun)