MALAYBALAY CITY (Dec. 27, 2023) – Leaders of Bukidnon’s seven tribes gathered alongside Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) for the Bansalumad Congress, which was held in the Hall of Peace in Tulugan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan on the 22nd and 23rd of December 2023

They primarily discussed the proposed Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code.

Atty. Arbie “Bagani” Saway Llesis, Bukidnon provincial IPMR, presented and discussed the significance of his largely prepared proposed ordinance with the participants.

He proposes the Bukidnon Bansalumad Code of 2024, also known as the Ordinance Adopting the Comprehensive Bansalumad Indigenous Peoples Welfare and Development Code in the Province of Bukidnon.

Llesis explained that “the IP Code isn’t just any law. That represents our unity. Now we will sew our effort, bind our effort to become stronger, to be heard more, and to be more believable that we can implement our rights here in our territory”.

Generally, the purpose of the code is to provide the basis for conscious and planned development for the IPs in the province and provide them substantial opportunities for access to governmental resources for the same.

One of its goals and objectives is to recognize the IPs’ right to decide on their development priorities as these affect their lives, beliefs, institutions, and spiritual well-being, as well as the lands they occupy or use, and to exercise control over their own economic, social, and cultural development to the greatest extent possible.

The proposed ordinance calls for the construction of a Provincial Indigenous Peoples Complex on a three-hectare property.

The Provincial IP Complex will act as the focal point for centralized and coordinated support, response, livelihood, and development involving Bukidnon’s IP.

The participants unanimously agreed on the IP Code’s desired approval during the two-day session.

Apart from explaining the IP Code, the Bansalumad Congress also discussed other resolutions to be signed by the elders and leaders of the seven tribes, such as the resolution to request funding for the IP Complex from the provincial government, as well as the request to congressmen for more funds for the construction of other IP structures, crafting an ordinance that will lead to the formation of the League of IPMRs, and resolutions opposing the national plan to zero budget the NCIP and House Bill No. 9608 which is the transfer of the ancestral domain office of NCIP to DENR. (melbmadera)