KIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 26, 2013) – North Cotabato 2nd District Congresswoman Nancy Catamco will call on President Benigno Aquino through a resolution in Congress for him to consider an indigenous woman to be among the members of the 15-man Transition Commission that will discuss on the enactment of the Basic Law of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro.
This call is to ensure that preserved rights of Indigenous Peoples will also be observed and considered in the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
She said IPs living within the Bangsamoro possess their own distinct culture and history that must be upheld, hence, they must be given the appropriate representation and significant participation in the enactment of the Bansamoro basic law.
“This is one form of a mandatory representation considering that the commission is tasked, among others to draft an important piece of legislation”, Catamco said.
She reiterated the importance of insuring provision of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act on mandatory representation be given faithful effect by all legislative bodies in all levels of local government units.
Along with this, Catamco is also calling on all civil society organizations involved with IPs particularly those that are pushing for the advancement and protection of IP Women and those who are unorganized or unaffiliated to unite and speak their common causes through a common voice.
Catamco expressed her stand in a round table talk on IP Women’s perspective on the GPH-MILF Peace Processes convened by GZO Peace Institute which is ebing supported by Royal Norwegian Embassy through the WE Act 1325.
Discussed during the event were various perspective and positions of IP Women on the GPH-MILF Peace Processes.
Lumad Mindanao, Lambangian Women’s Organization, Kutawato Center for Justice and Peace, Lilak and other representatives from different CSO’s took part in the event.
Catamco said while there are many IP groups throughout the Philippines that have common struggles, experiences and causes, their voices are hardly ever heard because there is not one single all-inclusive organization that represents them.
“Our IP brethrens do not appear to be united in voicing out their positions and demands”, Catamco said.
Catamco challenged the participants present in the round table discussion to take the initial steps in organizing a single group that will represent all IP Women in the country.
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