DILG, COMELEC, NCIP ink MoA on IPs rights to suffrage

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Commission on Elections yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to ensure the participation of country's indigenous peoples in electoral processes particularly in next year's May 13 national and local elections.

DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, COMELEC Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes, Jr. and NCIP Chairperson Brigida H. Pawid forged the agreement at COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila, to boost the implementation of COMELEC Resolution 9427, which provides for the registration of the members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples.

"This is a significant development in the government's effort to promote and protect the rights of our indigenous peoples by enhancing their participation in governance," Robredo said.

Following the promulgation of COMELEC Resolution 9427, certain local government units in 14 regions of the country were identified as pilot areas for purposes of registration.

The identified pilot areas includes, for Region I the municipalities of Sugpon, Alilem, Cervantes Quirino and Sta. Cruz, all in the province of Ilocos Sur; Region II Kayapa, Nueva Ecija; Region III , Capas, Tarlac; Region IV-A Gen. Nakar, Quezon; Region IV-B; Mindoro (Oriental and Occidental), Region V, Buhi, Camarines Sur; Region VI, Valderama, Antique; Region IX, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur; Region X, Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental; Region XI, Malita, Davao del Sur and Talaingod, Davao del Norte; Region XII; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Region XIII, San Luis, Agusan del Sur; ARMM, South Upi, Maguindanao, and CAR , Bakun, Benguet.

Robredo explained that the agreement shall cover the registration, voters education and voting of IPs in the identified pilot areas in connection with the May 13, 2013 elections.

As stipulated in the agreement, the DILG shall provide through its attached agencies and local government units logistical support such as police assistance and transportation of machines and personnel to the pilot areas, while the COMELEC shall conduct the actual registration of IPs, as well as establish polling places in the pilot areas.

On the other hand, the NCIP shall provide manpower in the ground who will form part of the team that will conduct registration, voters education and voting, as well as assist in the information dissemination of the electoral activities for IPs in the pilot areas. - dilg.gov.ph — ARA