AN ORDINANCE providing a traditional way of conflict resolution between two Indigenous Peoples (IPs) parties in Davao City was pushed in the 18th City Council Friday, December 14.
“This is to restore or preserve the IP way of settling disputes and second is to contribute to community-building,” committee on cultural communities and Muslim affairs Councilor Halila Sudagar told reporters Friday.
She added that the greatest contribution of this ordinance once passed on its third and final reading next regular session in 2019 will be declogging court cases.
“Makatabang ang IP through the council of elders so somehow mabawasan ang cases na gina-cater sa court (The IP through the council of elders will somehow contribute settling those lined-up court cases),” Sudagar said.
In the proposed ordinance, it states that “if the council of elders failed to act upon the complaint within 15 days upon submission of the conflict to its jurisdiction, the issue shall automatically be raised to the Katarungang Pambarangay through the Lupong Tagapamayapa”.
Meanwhile, Sudagar clarified that the council of elders can only cater petty crimes such as theft, slander, among others. Crimes such as murder, rape and violence against women and children should be handled by courts.
“Matagaan nato og power ang council of elders na makaparticipate sa community-building within their respective barangays (Through this proposed ordinance, we will be able to give opportunity for the council of elders to exercise their power and participate in community building in their respective barangays),” Sudagar said.
“At least ang ilahang participation kay dili na limitado kay kumbaga important na gyud sila sa barangay because sila lang man gyud ang maka-relate when it comes to IP disputes (Atleast, their participation will not be limited anymore. They will be able to settle their own disputes),” she added.