DIGOS CITY — The National Commission on the Indigenous People (NCIP) has urged all settlers in the ancestral domains to respect the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) being observed in the cultural communities.
Indalecio Diano, provincial director of the NCIP-Davao del Sur said the free prior and informed consent is under the Republic Act 8371 which allows the tribe to acquire a certificate of ancestral domain title.
He said all IPs in Davao del Sur have acquired their ancestral domain title especially, the Bagobo-Tagabawa.
“The ancestral domain title of the Unified Bagobo-Tagabawa covers Sibulan, Toril in Davao City going to Makilala in the province , towards Kapatagan, Bansalan and Sta. Cruz, “ Diano said.
He said the NCIP facilitates free prior and informed consent, in particular the entry of migrants.
“There is a provision of the Ipra law that regulates the entry of migrants which is the basis of the national guidelines of the NCIP which is the Administrative Order No. 3 series of 2012,” Diano said.
He said the administrative order serves as a guideline to get the consent of the community.
Diano said the policy explains to investors who plan to erect a structure in the area claimed by the IPs.
He said the local government units are their partner in this pursuit.
“The LGUs now do not grant business permits without the certificate of precondition, like that of the FPIC,” Diano said.
He said that the FPIC is a tool of empowerment for the cultural communities.
Diano said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also partnered with the NCIP to ensure a smooth flow in the implementation of laws and relationships.
“The DENR would also not issue a PAMBI permit, without the free prior and informed consent from the NCIP,” he said. PIA DAVAO