NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

The activity was attended by IP community representatives from the different cities and towns of the province.

Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo welcomed the participants led by Teresita Sinceda, IP representative to the Committee on Women of the Provincial Government, Executive Assistant to the Governor Marie June Castro, and Milina Jeruta of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Lacson said that globalization, climate change, and the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic worsened pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by indigenous peoples.

"For national unity and development, we have to ensure that our Indigenous Peoples are not left behind, and should be able to participate on all matters affecting them,” he said.

The governor assured the IP Communities in the province that they can count on the support of the Provincial Government in building a world that works for all and a world that leaves no one behind.

To date, the IP population in Negros Occidental has reached 308,272. (PR)