By Myris Lee
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has directed 67 local government units (LGU) to submit an explanation for being non-compliant with the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).
This, after the DILG chief received a letter from National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Allen Capuyan reporting the list of the 67 LGUs who did not comply with the IPRA.
The IPRA or Republic Act (RA) 8371 of 1997, compels LGUs to provide mandatory seats to IPMRs in the Sanggunians or councils at all levels.
“‘Yong pinaka-issue namin sa mga LGUs na ito ay hindi nila pinapaupo ang IP Mandatory Representative sa kanilang sanggunian,” DILG USec. Jonathan Malaya said in the April 29 Laging Handa Briefing.
“Binigyan po natin ng deadline hanggang Mayo 5 ang mga LGUs na ito para magpaliwanag kung bakit hindi nila pinapaupo iyong IP Mandatory Representative as mandated by Republic Act 8371,” he added.
The DILG will file a case against the LGUs if they cannot properly explain their side.
“Kung hindi satisfactory ‘yung paliwanang ng gov’t units na ito, mapipilitan ang DILG na magsampa ng kaukulang kaso sa mga LGUs na ito in connection to Section 72 Article 11 or the IPRA law,” Malaya said. – ag
