ISINUSULONG ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla ang legislative investigation hinggil sa diumano’y pagbukod ng traditional leaders sa pagpili ng Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) sa Palawan para sa pagpapanibago ng Malampaya Service Contract No. 38.

Sa Senate Resolution 885, binigyang halaga ni Padilla ang mga reklamo ng mga Cuyunon IPs (indigenous peoples) na hindi sumunod sa mga kaugaliang batas ang IPMR selection process.

“The right to participate in decision-making is a guaranteed right pursuant to Sec. 16 of the IPRA which states that Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) have the right to participate fully, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.

Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs shall be given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils,” ani Padilla.

“In view of the foregoing issues, there is a need to examine and review the IPRA as well as the mandate of the NCIP in the protection of the rights and welfare of the IPs with the end in view of improving the provisions of the IPRA,” dagdag niya.

Sa resolusyon ni Padilla, ipinunto niya ang mga reklamo tungkol sa pag-isyu ng NCIP ng certificate of non-overlap sa pagpapanibago ng Service Contract No. 38 na nagpapahintulot sa patuloy na produksyon ng Malampaya gas field; at mga diumano’y iregularidad sa IPMR selection process noong Hunyo 30.

Iniatas ng resolusyon sa Committee on Cultural Committees and Muslim Affairs, na pinamumunuan ni Padilla, para gawin ang imbestigasyon.

AUTHOR PROFILE

PS Jun M. Sarmiento