Antique Indigenous Communities gain support of prov'l government, NGOs

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) – August 9 is declared as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Antique as per Provincial Ordinance 2010-60 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province.

Vice Governor Rosie A. Dimamay, sponsor of the ordinance, said Tuesday the government in partnership with non-government organizations is committed towards providing indigenous communities programs and services upholding their rights as citizens of this country.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has also passed an ordinance 2011-64 creating a Provincial Indigenous People’s Council and allocated the amount of P1 million for calendar year 2012 for projects and activities of indigenous communities.

Likewise, the National Council for Indigenous People (NCIP) worked hand in hand with the local government units and non-government organization in responding to the needs of indigenous communities.

Mila Crespo, Provincial Coordinator of NCIP Antique said that NCIP has facilitated the awarding of Certificate of Ancestral Domain –Title (CAD-T) for Iraynun-Bukidnun (IPs) in Valderrama, Antique.

Distribution of CAD-T is among the major programs of NCIP to ensure security of tenure of indigenous communities.

Likewise, Pantawid Pamilya Program Coordinator Jeffrey Gabucay said that there are 563 IP families in Antique covered by Pantawid Pamilya program in the province. These families availed of government monthly subsidy, PhilHealth coverage and other benefits.

In addition, a non-government organization Ilog KinderHome Foundation, Inc., (IKFI) with support of European Union is supporting various IP communities in the towns of Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Sibalom, Valderrama and Laua-an.

IKFI through its project Empowering Indigenous People for Inclusive Development has organized Self-Help Groups and women’s organizations for IPs to become empowered and self-reliant.

According to NCIP, Antique has more than 16,000 IP population, only 9,000 are registered under NCIP located in the towns of Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, Sibalom, San Remigio, Valderrama and Laua-an. Other towns are still on the process of validation and registration.

This year’s Provincial IP day theme is “Kauswgan kang mga Tumandok padayunun, agud kauswagan kang probinsya maagum”. The program will be held at EBJ Gym, Binirayan, San Jose. (JCM//PSM/PIA6Antique)