THE National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Region VI has stepped up its information drive to raise awareness on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) as part of the celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Month in Western Visayas this October.
NCIP 6’s lawyer Princess May Alcarde-Oral said a series of information, education and communication activities on Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) were scheduled in diff erent parts of the region this month.
A total of 150 Atis have participated in the IEC activities held in three separate venues in the city and province of Iloilo this October.
The same IEC event was participated in by the IPs in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on October 22.
Coronavirus disease 2019 prevention and dental hygiene were also tackled during the IEC activities in Iloilo.
On October 27, the information drive was also one of the highlights of the IP Day celebration in Tapaz, Capiz.
Other activities during the day include cultural presentations, contests, exhibits and traditional children’s plays or Larong Lahi.
Oral said the information drive aims to raise the level of awareness of the IP communities in the region on the salient features of IPRA that recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples in the country.
It will not only mark the IP Month celebration but also the 24th anniversary of the IPRA of 1997 on October 29 in the region.
This year, the IP Month celebration underscores the true essence of how the day-to-day life and struggle of the Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples towards attaining self governance in their communities are properly and respected as guided by the theme “The Journey of Indigenous Peoples for Genuine Recognition, Respect and Self Governance” or Äng Paglalakbay ng mga
Katutubong Mamamayan para sa Tunay na Pagkilala, Paggalang, at Sariling Pamamahala.” (PIA6-Iloilo)