2015 ECIP Mindanao IPA – IP Regional Assembly

We, the IP representatives and IPA workers attending the 2015 ECIP-IPA-IP’s Mindanao Regional
Assembly held at Our Lady of Lourdes Mission Station, Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Misamis Occidental on November 11-14, 2015 have listened, and deliberated on the experiences of struggles, victories and challenges of many Lumad communities.

We shared and agreed on different issues affecting Indigenous Peoples’ Communities of Mindanao. Thus, we humbly admit that the various efforts undertaken by the Indigenous Peoples/Lumad together with the Indigenous Peoples Apostolates of different dioceses in Mindanao are not sufficient to fully achieve our common visions, aspirations and goals as peoples with dignity and integrity.

At the closing of the Year of the Poor where our marginalized and suffering IP brothers and Sisters have nothing to turn to but God (Romans 15:33), we renew our commitment to work for and with Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao in securing justice, protecting Ancestral domains and preserving our rich cultural heritage.

We urgently call all people concern to help realize the Lumad’s hopes and aspirations in the following:

On IP Situations

1. Lumad demands respect, equal treatment from all sectors of society and full implementation of their rights.
2. Give justice to ALL LUMAD KILLINGS, which violates their Human Rights, and an affront to their dignity.
3. Stop (forced or coerced) recruitment of IPs as members of paramilitary and other armed groups, and cease polarizing IP Communities.
4. Form an independent and credible body to investigate all the killings, abuses and other Human Rights Violations, to allow the whole truth to come out.
5. To make perpetrators liable to their crimes.
6. Make all IP communities and ancestral domains as Zones of Peace.

On the issue of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representation

1. Recognize and respect Customary Selection Process of IP communities.
2. For LGUs with IPs to fully implement the DILG orders for Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representation.
3. For all NCIP Provincial Offices to expedite the grievance and complaint mechanism against nominees for IPMR.
4. For IPMRs to be beholden to their respective communities whom they serve.

On Indigenous Peoples Education

1. For the government to fully support all community initiated IP Education.
2. Review, amend and/or repeal any policies and orders adversely affecting community initiated IP Education.
3. For all levels of Department of Education to diligently implement policies reflecting the Department Order 62 series of 2011.
4. Highly encourage, recommend and facilitate the setting up of IP Education Programs in archdioceses/dioceses/prelatures/vicariates and religious congregations ministering with IP’s.

We pray and in solidarity with them, we call for the immediate attention to the Lumad deplorable living conditions. May the God of all creation grant us peace in our Land.

For the delegates of 2015 ECIP-IPA-IP Mindanao Regional Assembly,

+Most Rev. Jose A. Cabantan, DD
Bishop of Malaybalay and ECIP-Mindanao Chairperson

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