IPs celebrate 16th IPRA anniversary

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) – The office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the agency responsible for addressing issues regarding and concerns of the country's indigenous peoples (IP) will lead in the celebration of the 16th Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) anniversary.

Atty. Elsie A. Alejandro, officer-in-charge of NCIP Caraga said, that the month of October is considered as month of the IPs. IPs from the different areas of Caraga region will gather for the celebration.

To raise IPRA and IP awareness of the community, there will be a series of activities lined up on October 24 to 25 to be held at the Agusan del Norte provincial capitol covered court in Butuan City, these include: different cultural presentations, quiz bowl to be participated by the NCIP’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP) Grantees and a poster making contest which is open to all students in the region with ages 12 to 15.

“This years’ celebration commemorates the 16th year of the enactment of the IPRA with the theme Nurturing Ancestral Domain Culture,” Alejandro said.

The celebration will be opened with a parade and the IPs ritual on Thursday and a solidarity and awarding ceremony will be held on Friday. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)