Talisay needs law for Council tribe rep

CEBU, Philippines - A tribal sector may have a seat in the Talisay City Council only if an ordinance that institutionalizes representation of indigenous people will be passed.

This according to Councilor Richard Francis Aznar who was tasked by Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante to study the request of the Kinatas-ang Kahugpungan sa Kapupud-an Datus Aliamaong to have a seat at the Council.

Aznar heads the Council’s committee on laws.

Aznar said Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides the lists of authorized council representatives – the vice mayor, 10 elected councilors and two ex-officio members.

 Under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA), the local government units are required to ensure “genuine participation” of indigenous people in the legislative body.

Section 6 of Rule IV of the National Commission on Indigenous People also provides that the Lumads shall be given “mandatory representation” in policy-making and local legislative body.

Aside from Talisay City, in 2011, the group also pushed for representation in the barangay councils of Capitol Site, Kamputhaw and Cogon Ramos and even in Mandaue City.

A certain Lorebel Belotindos, who goes by the name of Datu Dila, claimed she has the right to be in the barangay council by virtue of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.

But the barangay officials in Capitol Site rejected the tribe’s move, saying it is subject to the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). – (FREEMAN)