ROGER Dalisdis Sinot has made his way to City Hall in a historic vote besting four others in the bid to be the first Ibaloi Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Baguio.
Over 300 gathered at the Avong Ibaloi Heritage Garden in Burnham Park, Friday for the selection of vacancy of the IPMR facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Ibaloi’s from the city converged to ratify guidelines for the IPMR voting after which the selection proceeded via secret ballot, as agreed by the council of elders.
Sinot led the tally with 89 votes followed by his closest contender Jackson Chiday with 53 while Vicky Macay, Basilio Binayan and Philip Canuto trailed, ending the process of selection.
With the win of Sinot, it is gleaned IP concerns will now be taken into priority in the local legislative body.
The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 provides the right of IP’s to participate fully at all levels of decision-making through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous structures.
It is further mandated the IP’s representative will be qualified and chosen by their own communities in accordance with a process to be determined by them; and the NCIP in close coordination with the DILG will come up with appropriate measures to ensure the full participation in matters affecting development.
Sinot said among his top priorities at the local council include funding for the barangay IPR, empowerment of the cluster council of elders, titling of the one hectare Ibaloy heritage garden, finishing of the IP building beside city library as well as a profile update of ancestral lands and personal data sheets for IPO’s within the City.
Sinot said scholarships to poor but deserving IP’s will also be underway and will encourage IP organization to cooperatives-to be self-reliant.
Sinot also plans to change the welcome signs along the city entrances from "umali kay" to "kala ju" and rename streets to Ibaloi ancestors as well as schools and barangay halls.
The Ibaloi’s assert the original settlers of the city should and have rallied to hold the seat as IPMR in the council.
The NCIP will certify the validity of the vote and transmit the results to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the transmittal to the city council, paving the way for the oath taking of Sinot.
The process according to government rules will take ten days. (Maria Elena Catajan)