THE position for the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) will still not be occupied anytime soon in the 19th City Council, now that there is still the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, City Council Floor Leader Melchor Quitain said.

Quitain said in a radio interview on Thursday, September 24, that the IPMR position still remains vacant despite the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) officially declaring IPMR Datu Demetrio Bolo of the Bagobo Klata/Guiangan tribe as the one who will hold the position.

This is because of the case Cherrie Ann Codilla filed before the court after being disqualified by the NCIP for lack of genealogical qualification.

Halila Sudagar had been acting as IPMR during the remaining sessions of the 18th City Council.

Sudagar vacated her position in July 2019 after the NCIP issued the Certificate of Affirmation (COA) from the central office. Bolo was supposed to succeed her, but because of the pending court case, he is on floating status.

Quitain said Bolo's assumption might be prolonged because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Until now, I am sure samot siya kadelay because of the court proceedings, dili na mupaspas ang dagan sa kaso (that the case would have further delay because of the limitation of the court proceedings). This will cause further delays," he said.

Quitain said the Council and the City Government of Davao are hands off in the issue of IPMR.

Despite the absence of an IPMR head, the City Council is still addressing the concerns and other needed legislations related to the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the city.