<strong>IPMR Abing vows to be the voice of the IPs in Koronadal</strong>
Koronadal City Councilor Antonio S. Abing, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), shared some glimpses of what his office plans to accomplish in the remaining years of his term, championing the rights of cultural communities and outlining his plans and programs as chairperson of various city council committees.
In an interview in “Tingog sa Pagsanyog“, a weekly development program of the city government of Koronadal, Councilor Abing presented some of his landmark legislations benefitting the Indigenous People (IP) communities in the city. Among these legislative measures are the ordinance institutionalizing IP Day, the Ordinance Giving Financial Assistance to the IP, and the Ordinance providing educational assistance to the young IP learners.
The IP Representative has pushed for the institutionalization of IP Day in the City of Koronadal, which falls every month of January, during the celebration of the Foundation Anniversary of the City of Koronadal, to highlight the IP’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage and to show how their present-day beliefs harmonize with the authentic IP traditions.
Intangible cultural heritage is made up of traditions and living expressions that are passed on from one generation to the next. It is a “living heritage” such as community gatherings, oral traditions, songs, healing traditions, foods, beliefs, cultural practices, and skills of making handicrafts and cooking. These customs are integral parts of our indigenous peoples.
Aside from the IP Day Ordinance, Councilor Abing has also enacted legislative measures that institutionalize IP Financial Assistance under the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Program in the amount of P30,000.00 in connection with the celebration of the Barangay IP Day and likewise institutionalize IP Educational Assistance by providing school supplies to the young learners coming from the IP communities.
According to Councilor Abing, he had these legislations institutionalized to ensure that these stay even if he is no longer in the position as IP Representative.
“Gusto ta lang nga ma-ordinance siya para sige-sige, kay ti ini politika, para may legasiya kita, kag bisan sin-o man ang magpungko kay naka-ordinance siya, ang programa padayon gid”, Abing said.
BECOMING AN IP REPRESENTATIVE
Even before he started as the IPMR, Abing was already recognized as one of the top IP leaders not only in the City of Koronadal but also in the entire province of South Cotabato.
According to him, upon the approval of Republic Act 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997, the Indigenous Cultural Communities and the Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) were given the right to participate in decision-making, particularly in matters which affect their lives and rights, as well as maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.
In 2014, upon the completion of the selection process conducted by some of the IP leaders in Koronadal, Abing was nominated and eventually elected to become the IPMR in the local Legislative Council and assumed office in the following year.
He recalled that the very reason he accepted the challenge to become the IPMR was his desire and aspiration to become the voice of the IP community and eventually push the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) Law’s four bundles of interdependent rights: the Rights to ancestral domains, the Rights to Ancestral Domains, Right to Self-Governance and Empowerment, Social Justice and Human Rights, and Cultural Integrity.
“Ang una nga nagtulod gid sa akon, wala may nagadala sang tingog sang mga Indigenous Peoples kag para magduso atong IPRA law nga may ara sang four bundles of rights,” Abing proudly shared.
Councilor Abing further explained these four essential rights of the IPs. According to him, the Right to Ancestral Domain is the right of the Indigenous Peoples to have ownership of the ancestral lands and the natural resources, which they can develop and manage. The Right to Self-Governance, on the other hand, is one way of empowering the IP community. This is the reason why an Indigenous Political Structure in the city was established and reason why there’s the presence of an IPMR in the SP. Meanwhile, the Right to Social Justice and Human Rights speaks about the rights of the IP community to have equal opportunity and treatment and to avail as well the government’s basic services. Lastly, the Right to Cultural Integrity focuses on the preservation and protection of the culture, traditions, and institutions of the IPs.
PLANS AND PROGRAMS
In the present composition of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Councilor Abing originally held the chairmanship of two major committees, which include the Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Affairs and the Committee on Tourism Development. Recently, with the withdrawal of Councilor John Ray Rodriguez as the head of the Committee on Legal Matters, Councilor Abing was elected to chair the Committee on Information, People Empowerment and Participation which was originally chaired by Rodriguez. Abing promised to give his best effort to perform his duties efficiently and effectively as the new chairperson of the Information Committee.
Being the head of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Affairs, part of his plans focused on crafting an ordinance to strictly prohibit the selling of land within the ancestral domain, especially to those who want to develop these lands, which have the potential to become tourist destinations, and to preserve and regulate the entry of migrants within their ancestral lands.
Further, he wanted to enact an ordinance that would give emphasis on the early marriages among the IP communities. Currently, his committee is on the process of drafting an ordinance relative thereto. Although, he wanted to preserve the Blaan culture, he also wanted to protect these youth from getting married so young and provide guidance to them until they finished their studies.
Meanwhile, on October 25, 2022, in line with the 25th year celebration of the IPRA Law, Abing initiated the conduct of the first-ever “Kasalang Tribu” where 25 IP couples got married through a traditional Blaan wedding but was legalized through the help of the City Government of Koronadal through the Office of the City Civil Registrar.
Aside from this, the Committee on Indigenous People is working-out to pass a resolution requesting the local chief executive to provide funds for the purchase of lots to be used as relocation sites for IPs who are residing within the hazardous areas. Likewise, under his authorship, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved the Resolution requesting Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, the chair of the Senate Committee on Department of Works and Highway, to provide funds for the proposed farm-to-market road projects in the city that connects the roads of Barangay Paraiso to Barangay Assumption and Barangay Saravia.
On the other hand, being the chairperson of the Committee on Tourism Development, Councilor Abing shared some useful insights that would help the tourism industry of Koronadal.
He vowed to give priority, particularly the reorganization of the composition of the City Tourism Council. The council will be responsible for coming-up with a Tourism Plan that would eventually craft the Tourism Code of the City of Koronadal.
According to him, Koronadal City has that great potential to become one of the tourist destinations in Region XII. As such, the city will undoubtedly benefit from it, particularly in terms of its local economy.
“Kinahanglan gid naton nga ma-identify ang mga tourist destinations sa siyudad sang Koronadal, una ang mahatag niya nga bulig sa community, local employment. Ikaduha, makabulig kita sa mga local businessmen, sa aton mga hotels, mga restaurants naton, mga shopping malls, kung damo sang mga turista nga nagasulod sa aton nga siyudad. Kag ang benefisyo sang siyudad, makadugang kolekta sang taxes o local revenue”, Abing said.
GRATEFUL TO COLLEAGUES SUPPORT
Meanwhile, Councilor Abing expressed his gratitude for all the assistance he has received from City Mayor Eliordo Ogena and fellow SP Members. He pointed out that, right from the very beginning of his career as a legislator, both, the executive and legislative departments, played pivotal roles in his political career and have been very supportive of all his undertakings and initiatives, especially with the programs involving the IP community.
With his colleagues’ and fellow officials’ positive support, Councilor Abing promised to give back and assured them also of his full support.
“Para sa akon, basta sa kaayuhan lang sang tanan kag pagsuporta para sa indigenous peoples kag ang programa sang administrasyon para sa kaayuhan sang tanan, ara ako, ara ang hundred percent ko nga pagsuporta”, Abing said.