BACOLOD CITY – A member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) was installed as a new member of the municipal council of Isabela, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, October 4.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Commissioner Jeorge Largado said Teresita Sinceda is the first representation of the IP in the Ati community in the Visayas.
TERESITA Sinceda (third from left) takes her oath as an Indigenous Peoples municipal representative (IPMR) before Mayor Irene Montilla (right) during the IP Month celebration and 26th IP Rights Act commemoration in Isabela, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, October 4. (Photo courtesy of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regions VI and VII)
Mayor Irene Montilla administered the oath of office of Sinceda in the presence of NCIP Director Ana Burgos and Largado during the IP Month celebration and the 26th IP Rights Act commemoration at the town gymnasium.
Sinceda is a cultural master of Marikudo and an IP municipal representative.
Largado said that Sinceda can serve for three terms just like an elected official but since they are being chosen through selection, the process will not coincide with the local elections.
One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of Certificates of Affirmation (COAs) to eight IP municipal representatives (IPMR).
Largado said they welcome such development and thanked Montilla for the support to the IP communities in the town. This will pave the way for the IPs community to be heard, he added.
Sinceda said that she was happy for the chance given to her to serve fellow IPs in the town. Through this, she said that IPs can now have a venue to express their concerns and sentiments to the council.
She said the town has eight IP barangays with about 10,000 population.