IPs now represented in Tagum’s City Council

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE, Aug. 07—The City Council of Tagum now has a newly-inducted Indigenous People’s representative in the person of Datu Rudy T. Onlos.

Onlos was sworn into office on Aug. 1, the newest ex-officio member of the 6th City Council, in consonance with the provisions of Section 16 of Republic Act 8371 otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), which demanded mandatory representation in all policy-making bodies and in local legislative councils.

In an interview, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon cited Datu Onlos’ installation as the newest member of the city council, as a triumph for the city’s IPs “who have struggled for so long to carry their voice through formal representation in Tagum’s highest and revered law-making body.”

“I expect that there will be pieces of legislation that will strengthen the efforts on preservation and protection of the lumads in the city.”Rellon said, citing that the new councilor will now have to focus on working with his administration as to improving the delivery of basic needs such as health, education and employment to the members of the indigenous community.

Datu Onlos of the Mansaka tribe is also the city’s tribal chieftain and he is expected to carry the voice of various  tribes in the city such as Mandaya, Ka’gan, Dibabawon, among others.

In his speech, Onlos said his representation will push for actions that would help promote the welfare of the indigenous peoples as required under the IPRA Law.

Aside from him, 15 others were also installed as IP representatives to the barangay councils of the city. They included Bia Jessica Ado (Pagsabangan), Datu Carlito Alejo (Magugpo North), Bia Teresita P. Baloyo (Magugpo East), Bia Amie M. Catalan (Cuambogan), Datu Damiano A. Cipro (Canocotan), Datu Romeo O. Dansigan (La Filipina), Bia Florencia S. Enoroba (Magugpo South), Bia Lilia M. Lagunsad (Mankilam), Bia Hermenia T. Maitem (Nueva Fuerza), Datu Cristino C. Navarro, Sr. (San Miguel), Bia Adelaida V. Odias (Magugpo West), Bia Martina I. Perez (Apokon), Datu Aguido P. Sucnaan, Sr. (Pandapan), Bia Mercedez L. Sulsog (Magdum) and Datu Arnold Dumat (Visayan Village).

Their ascension to their respective councils gained the support of the city councilors who attended the ceremony held at the Tagum City Pavilion. (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum/JMDA PIAXI)