VILLAGE chiefs will be discussing the need for an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in their barangays.
Michael Lawana, the President of the Baguio City Association of Barangay Councils and Baguio City council representative said the IPMR barangay representative issue will have to be discussed in depth in a general assembly to get the pulse of the 128 barangays here.
Lawana said matters of budget have to be taken in consideration if the planned addition of a barangay IPMR will ensue which he said will affect adversely the annual budget allotted for personnel services.
The ABC chief said the purpose of the IPMR in the villages is to hear the grievances of the indigenous peoples in the villages.
“I don’t think their grievances are not addressed,” adding the plight of IP’s in the 128 villages are being acted on.
Lawana said the representative is not needed in the villages and needs to be studied carefully.
During the regular session, Monday, a handful of barangay representatives were present in the council to air sentiments regarding the IPMR issue with divided views and varying opinions on the need to install an IPMR in their areas.
In Barangay Camp 8, where there are many IP’s, the village chief echoed the need to have the representation on their area as opposed to Barangay Navy Base, to which the village chief said there is no need for the position.
Councilor Art Alad-iw is pushing for an indigenous Peoples representative in the council and villages to which the representation is needed.
The Ald-iw proposal states the city has several Indigenous Peoples Groups needing representation in the City Council, these are the Ibalois, Kalanguyas, Migrant IPs from the Cordillera Region such as the Kankanaeys, Tuwalis, Tingguians, Kalingas, Isnegs, other Tribes from the Cordillera and other IPs from other Regions.