City officials recently mandated all qualified barangays to allocate funds for 2025 and subsequent years for the honorarium of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in the personnel services budget to provide a sustainable and consistent source of support for the position and will uphold principles of equity and social justice contributing to the empowerment and representation of indigenous peoples in local governance.
Under Resolution No. 508, series of 2024, local legislators stated that IPMR is a position designated to advocate for the interest and rights of indigenous peoples within various governmental and legislative bodies in the country as mandated by the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 which calls for the recognition, protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, including their participation in policy-making and governance processes.
Earlier, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples established guidelines under NCIP Administrative Order No. 3, series of 2018 for the selection and appointment of IPMRs to ensure effective representation of indigenous peoples in local governance and policy-making.
The council claimed that it is imperative for the IPMRs to advocate for the protection of ancestral domains, cultural heritage and the overall welfare of the indigenous communities they represent.
It added that to effectively implement the role of IPMRs in their respective areas or jurisdictions, barangays must allocated funds for the IPMR honorarium in their annual budgets, provide the necessary support for their participation in local governance and promote awareness of indigenous peoples’ rights and roles among local officials, ensuring compliance with RA 7160 and RA 8371.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the city’s 128 barangays and the NCIP for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. – By Dexter A. See
