Saving Cordillera mountains, empowering indigenous communities

 Maligcong Rice Terraces, Bontoc, Mountain Province (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

by Charissa Luci-Atienza , Manila Bulletin

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched two major research programs seeking to protect the mountains in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and ensure water security and climate resilience for indigenous communities in the region.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the two programs were launched by DOST-CAR to preserve the region’s mountains through innovative engineering solutions, and ensure enough, safe, and clean water supply in indigenous communities in CAR.

He said the first program calls for the establishment of a “Mountain Engineering Center” in the region. It is funded under the Science for Change Program (S4CP) Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER).

The DOST chief said “Program Boondock: A Mountain Engineering Center Towards Sustainable Infrastructure and Upland Water Security” is a collaborative effort of the DOST-CAR with the University of the Cordilleras (UC), Kalinga State University (KSU), Saint Louis University (SLU) and the Watershed and Water Resources Research, Development and Extension Center (WWRRDEC). WWRRDEC is one of the Research Centers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB).

“The first program seeks to enhance the industrial competitiveness of the Cordilleras in the field of agriculture, tourism and mobility through mountain engineering solutions and promote social and human development through upland water security, and environmental sustainability,” he said.

De la Peña said the second program seeks to ensure water security and climate resilience for Cordillera’s mountain indigenous communities through technology-enhanced decision support tools.

It is funded under DOST’s National Research Council of the Philippines’s (NRCP) Grants-in-Aid ` (GIA) program and will be jointly implemented by DOST-CAR with the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) and University of the Cordilleras (UC) The initiative is expected “to bring about sufficient, clean and safe domestic water supply in mountain communities especially during the dry season,” de la Peña said.

“It will provide the necessary data and information to support decisions on water resources development for water supply that are more resilient to climate change and climate variability,” he said. “It also seeks to establish technology enhanced information and decision support system for the conservation and protection of the rivers and watersheds of the Cordilleras,” he added.

The involved LGUs in both programs are the provincial government units of Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province; and municipal government units of Sallapadan, Abra; Itogon, Tuba, Tublay, and La Trinidad, Benguet; Baguio City; Banaue, Ifugao; Tabuk City, and Tinglayan, Kalinga; and Bontoc and Bauko, Mountain Province.

The research programs were launched on June 8.

1st IP convergence summit and ...

... 22nd IPRA anniversary celebration held in New Bataan town

Compostela Valley Province---The municipal government of New Bataan, Compostela Valley in partnership with the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) and the Mandaya-Mansaka Tribal Executive Council of Elders (MMTECE) celebrates the "1st IP New Bataan Convergence Summit and 22nd Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) anniversary celebration" on October 29, 2019 at the Municipal Gymnasium, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province.

This year's celebration is anchored with the theme "Empowering Indigenous Peoples through the Whole of Nation Approach.”

A total of 83 council of elders, tribal leaders and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) of the different clusters attending the program led by the municipal IPMR and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Arnel B. Sugnoan together with the Municipal Tribal Chieftain Daniel L. Pagantupan.

During the program Provincial Director of NCIP-Comval Roger S. Lumbin shares about the 14 Thematic Issues and concerns and also explains about the Executive Order No. 70 for the whole of nation approach to the IP leaders.

Director Lumbin expressed his gratitude to the participants during the conduct of the open forum with the national government agencies and the municipal government.

“The gains and the success of our IPRA celebration as far as Comval and New Bataan in particular is considered a historic one. This is because of the influence of our chairperson and at the same time the Executive Director of ELCAC,” said Director Lumbin.

HE added that “why we are here its because we wanted to highlight the celebration of the creation of IPRA law. “Although daghan ta ug mga celebration nga nabuhat in the previous years pero for me this is something special because this is a valuable one and a historic one.”

Also gracing the occasion were New Bataan Mayor Geraldford N. Balbin together with the municipal SB members and the officials from the national government agencies namely: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through Ms. Lovella Mae C. Lagura, and from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office XI with Ms. Lourdes Melody Villanueva.

Meanwhile, the presentation of the Mandaya-Mansaka ADSDPP Annual Investment Plan was also presented by Jake Hanggam the Ancestral Domain Manager of the said town.

The ceremonial signing and pledge of commitment of support was also done with the representatives from the national government agencies and the IP leaders.

On the other hand, Mayor Balbin said that

"ang mga kaayuhan nga gihimo sa mga tribu dako ug tabang sa atua, unya magpabilin ang history sa atuang tribu sa atuang lungsod ug sa tanang mga IPs, dili mahimo ang tanan bisan pa ug unsa ang atong mga plano kung wala ang mga tabang sa national government, provincial government ug sa ubang ahensiya sa gobyerno.”

"Nagpasalamat kita nga ang atuang mga tribu ug atuang mga IPs nahatagan ug pagtagad sa mga programa sa gobyerno para sa kaayuhan sa tanan," the mayor added.

The commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the promulgation of Republic Act No. 8371 otherwise known as IPRA is celebrated in the IP Month of October 1-31, 2019. #YEStoDavaoDeOro (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

A Dream in Davao...

to materialize this New Year 2012....

To all his friends and benefactors of Davao City, Father Franco wishes a Blessed and Happy New Year. He hopes this is the year, that shall him fulfill his long-cherished dream in Buda on behalf of the Indigenous Youth.

Fr. Franco is a Salesian of Don Bosco and is about to start taking care of 45 "lumad" youths/children, starting this May 2012.

He has decided to start, trusting as usual, in Davao providence, the good hearted people in Davao City and its surroundings. One of the many concerns he has to face ia the preparation of the daily meals and other needs. The help promised by European donors for this project, is hard to come, because Europe has its economic and financial problems.

There's also another way for sponsoring the "cause" of Father Franco, as I was able to learn during my last visit in Buda. Try to buy the gourmet products he himself has designed and produced to be able to support this project, Just visit "Pasalubong Center, Palma Gil Street, People's Park, Davao City" or, find time to take fresh breath along with your family and friends and come up to Buda tp Father Franco's place.

I am also glad to give you more information. Kindly contact me.

God bless you all!