Gensan marks IP Day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (4 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the indigenous people (IP) and Muslim community in celebrating the 5th IP Day on October 29 at Oval Gymnasium. He specified that the IPs have crucial role in the economic development of the city, as well as on preserving and protecting the environment. (Gensan CPIO/Allan Jay Resane)

Blaan chieftain is new city councilor

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) – Blaan chieftain Mario U. Empal (center) takes his oath of office Tuesday, July 22, before City Mayor Ronnel Rivera as the 13th city councilor being the Indigenous People’s (IP) representative to the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). After so many years, it is only now that the IP representation in the SP has finally been realized. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera welcomes IP Representative to city council

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - After decades of waiting, the indigenous community here in the city finally got a representative in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

On the afternoon of Tuesday (July 22) at the City Hall lobby, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera made good on his promise to provide a voice for members of the Indigenous People (IP) in the city.

Blaan chieftain Mario Empal took his oath as the official IP Representative of General Santos City in front of the mayor, city councilors, LGU-GSC employees, and different IP groups.

“I am thankful that Mayor Rivera had pushed for an IP representation in SP. We asked this for a very long time and it was only now that this was realized—when Mayor Rivera is already the mayor of the city,” Empal said.

Representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) also witnessed and certified the legality of putting Kagawad Empal in one of the seats of SP.

According to the DILG, Section 16 of RA 8371 or The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 says that the State shall ensure that all Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and IPs must be given a mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.

The DILG ascertained that there was no irregularity in naming Empal as the IP representative and as the 13th city councilor of the 17th SP.

This thrust of Mayor Rivera is also supported by the SP through Ordinance No. 8 authored by City Councilor Rosalita Nunez.

The ordinance outlines the need for an IP representative in the city, as well its functions and responsibilities.

In the said ordinance, Empal will have a three-year term which officially started on the day of his induction.

“I am happy that for how many years and administrations, we finally have an IP representative in the SP that will push the welfare and rights of our IP constituents,” Mayor Rivera said.

“But aside from that, I also expect Councilor Empal to also help in resolving the problems that affect the city, such as of the poverty incidence. Since he is in the SP already, improving the lives of every General should also be his utmost priority,” the mayor said.

Mayor Rivera is also hoping that the next IP representative would come from other indigenous tribes here in Gensan.

Councilor Empal assured the city mayor that he will do his role to be the voice of his fellow IPs and ICCs. (GENSAN CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Blaan kids meet Mayor Rivera in mountain village

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 March 2014) - Aside from his donation to the elementary schools of Daan Banwang and Almatac in Barangay Upper Labay Friday, March 07, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera also met the Blaan children and gave them candies, biscuits and packed juices—commodities that are rarely available in the mountain villages. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Lumads benefit from socialized housing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (04 August 2013) – Indigenous People (IP) or Lumads in the city are set to benefit greatly from socialized housing projects provided by the government.

Last week, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera formally signed the “Pabahay Housing Assistance for Indigenous People” program as proposed by the National Housing Authority-Region 12 (NHA-XII).

During the signing, Rivera said that currently, the local government has no land properties to be used as relocation sites, “but we will innovate to provide the IPs a home of their own.”

Ronaldo Teves, chairman of NHA-XII, in a meeting said that the beneficiaries of the program were identified in coordination with the local indigenous people in Upper Blagan, Barangay San Jose in this city and have been verified by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).

The new socialized housing program by the NHA-XII intends to provide decent houses to more than 100 Lumad families in Upper Blagan.

The area to be utilized for the housing program is an ancestral land claimed by the Lumads themselves in Upper Blagan.

According to Teves, an estimated budget of P10M was allocated by NHA for the project.

Each concrete house to be developed will cost more or less P100, 000.

Along with the houses, NHA will also provide roads and drainage.

Upon completion, the NHA will turn over the land to the city government which will properly turn over the project to the targeted beneficiaries.

Rivera recognized the presence of informal settlers in the city that is why he is closely working with NHA and the City Housing and Land Management Office in looking for additional relocation sites. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera assures Muslim-IP role in governance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 July 2013) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera attends the open forum for Muslim and Indigenous People (IP) Friday, July 26, at the Office of Muslim Affairs. Participants discussed issues about Muslim and IP participation in governance, involvement of Muslims and IPs in peace in order activities and the status of the Office of Cultural Affairs including the appointment of the head of the said office. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera supports Muslim-Indigenous People representation in SP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 July 2013) - Mayor Ronnel Rivera has assured the Muslim and Indigenous People (IP) in the city that they have his full support in their aim to install an IP representative in the local Sangguniang Panlungsod as mandated by law.

In a forum on “Muslim and Tri-People Situation in General Santos City” Friday (July 26), the mayor bared that plans are already being laid out to reserve one seat in the city council to represent the members of the Muslims and IPs.

Rivera said the selection of the representative will be based on the approval and recommendation of the parties concerned.

 “The representative for the indigenous community will not be endorsed by the ELA or by the SP, but rather it will come from your collective recommendation,” Rivera added.

According to the mayor, the issue was already discussed during the preliminary meetings of the local government with regards to the crafting of the Executive, Legislative Agenda (ELA) of the city.

A measure was passed in the last Sangguniang Panlungsod that would have installed a member of the IP as one of the representatives in the City Council but the proposed ordinance was struck down by the ruling majority.

Mayor Rivera pointed out he will incorporate the culture and ideals for the community peace-building process as proposed by the local Muslim and tribal leaders; and is actually planning to create offices for both Muslim and IP groups in the city to ensure that there will be proper treatment for each sector.

In the forum, Rivera also addressed concerns regarding health and education for the ethnic groups.

The forum was also participated in by various ethnic groups in Gensan such as Blaans , Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Tausugs and Tbolis.

The forum was organized by Atty. Isnira Baginda and Abdul Mutalib Esmael together with the other Muslim and IP representatives. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John Lagare)