Members of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community in Barangay Carol-an in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental now have a better venue for various activities with the construction of IP Governance Center provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Built by DPWH, Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office, the one-storey, 84-square meter structure includes provision of comfort rooms, electrical, and water utilities for the convenience of the occupants.
As reported by District Engineer Rodney Gustilo, Regional Director Nerie Bueno said that the completed building will benefit thousands of residents.
“Situated in the mountains of Kabankalan City, roughly 4,700 members of IP community in Barangay Carol-an were granted with Certificate of Ancestral Domain title, where most of them are accustomed to farming and poultry raising. Hence, this building will serve as convenient venue where they can be trained and educated for their social, personal, and economic development,” Bueno said.
“This center will also serve as center where local officials can perform their functions, policies, and programs toward the preservation of IP culture, tradition and institution,” Bueno added.
Likewise, National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the Island Group and Rest of Visayas Commissioner Jeorge Largado lauded DPWH for the provision of the IP Governance Center.
“This IP center will serve as the office of IP structures who are identified as IP leaders for the settlement of incidental problems. This will also serve as an office for IP organizations, who are the implementing arms of IP community having a legal capacity in bridging the extended program of government to IPs,” Largado said.
“This building will also be a place to shelter the IP knowledge system and practices, documenting rich cultures and tradition that can be seen in the area, as well as preservation of IP beliefs in various activities such as wedding, farming, and thanksgiving that they are vividly and continuously practicing to date,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gustilo said that the construction of IP community building aims to preserve that tradition of Carolano IP community.
“This multi-purpose building is the government’s way of supporting and protecting the rights and tradition of the members of IP communities, and enhancing their economic, social, and cultural well-being,” he said.
“Through this office building, IP leaders and organizations will be able to preserve the IP native culture, and augment the integrated programs and plans of the government for the enrichment of the indigenous accustomed tradition,” he also said.*
