DAP conducts capability training for IPs

By: Claro A. Lanipa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 19 (PIA) – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Mindanao Office in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Ateneo de Davao and Mindanawon recently conducted a training on “Strengthening the Capacity of Indigenous Peoples (IP, for brevity) Mandatory Representatives to Local Legislative Councils  at Jardin Laviña Hotel, Zamboanga City.

The event was attended by 29 provincial, city and municipal representatives from various ethno-linguistic groups in the region, particularly the Subanen, Yakan, Bajau, Samal and Kalibugan.

The training aimed to gain understanding of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) framework for development, acquire knowledge in mainstream government to be able to interface with the indigenous governance system, understand the accountability of public officials and employees, learn from navigating the government budget and financial processes among others.

Mr. Alan S. Cajes, vice president and managing director of DAP Mindanao announced that under the program  Strengthening Advocacy of Lumads in Government (SALIG-LUMAD), the participants will also undergo mentoring and coaching after the capability training, with the objective of formulating an IP agenda to promote advocacies and participation in the local legislative councils.

“It is imperative for our IPs to develop their functional skills on existing government processes for them to further complement their cultural and traditional competencies in governance,” Cajes emphasized.

Among the speakers in the said training were IP champion Fr. Albert S. Alejo, SJ; Atty. Leilene Marie C. Gallardo of NCIP Central Office; Atty. Mohamad Taha S. Arakama and Jun A. Cilo of DILG IX; Alan S. Cajes; Atty. Marco A. Buena of the Office of the OMBUDSMAN for Mindanao and Director Annabelle C. Echavez and Lilia R. Ledesma of DBM IX.

The training was attended by NCIP Commissioners Cosme M. Lambayon and Era C. España, NCIP IX Regional Director Salong M. Sunggod together with some staff, Ms. Lyn A. Balanza , IPMR Focal Person of Region XI, and the DAP  Mindanao training team, headed by Ms. Regina R. Fernandez. (FPG/CAL/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur with reports from NCIP-9)
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