MANILA, September 9, 2011-In the recent abduction of a member of Agta-Dumagat community in Burdeos, Quezon, Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities said that there is a pressing need to strengthen the protection of indigenous cultural communities in the country, outraging the incident that should not happen.
Last August 23, Rogemer Morada was reported abducted from his house by armed men and his relatives sought the help of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
“As shown in this incident, protection and security are among the concerns of our indigenous brothers and sisters. The government must address this concern along with the other needs of our indigenous people such as access to basic services and the preservation of their culture and tradition,” she said.
The Senator said that these issues will be discussed at the Luzon Indigenous Peoples’ Assembly that will be held today until tomorrow, September 10, 2011, in Baguio City.
Legarda stressed that there is a pressing need to strengthen the voices of our IP leaders so that they may raise the concerns of their communities. This regional assembly and the first National Indigenous Cultural Summit will serve as venues for dialogue between our ICCs and the country’s policy-makers.
Legarda said that their unique situation and needs should be important parts of public discourse and through this regional assembly, there is a need to ensure that our IPs will be given appropriate attention by the government through policies and programs responsive to their needs.
Luzon IP groups to participate in the assembly today are the Isneg, Bago, Tingguian, Kankanaey, Iwak, Ibatan, Agta, Itawes, Tuwali, Gaddang, Bugkalot, Ayangan, Tiblac, Ivatan and the Dumagat. (Jason de Asis)
1 comment:
Nice. Hopefully our indigenous people will be given much protection for their safety and welfare. (Billy S. of Quezon City)
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