Tribal leaders of the 11 tribes in Davao City along together with community advocates called for an honest and fair 2025 midterm local and national elections in time for the launching of the United Moro and Indigenous People (UMIP) Movement at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on Wednesday.
The UMIP stands as a unified voice for the Moro and indigenous communities of Davao City and among its objectives is to uphold honest and fair elections to protect the democratic rights of their communities.
Michaela Mohamad, UMIP Secretary General, said the group is not endorsing any political candidates but it stands firm in its advocacy for leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and committed to the welfare of the Moro and indigenous communities.
“We believe that the best way to ensure the progress of our people is to actively engage in governance and promote leaders who uphold the rights and dignity of all sectors,” he said.
The group emphasized that it will be supporting candidates who will promote and champion its welfare and advocacies.
Gabriel Nakan, Chairman of UMIP, said among the key issues that they are currently facing is the education crisis.
In January this year, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Davao Region (NCIP-Davao Region) announced that it would not accommodate or accept applicants for the NCIP-Educational Assistance Program (NCIP-EAP) due to the NCIP’s budget cut in the General Appropriations Act 2025 (GAA 2025).
“Kabalo ta tanan karon nga ang NCIP gitanggalan nila ug budget so apektado ang atoang kaigsoonang Indigenous People and isa pud na ang amoang ginapaabot sa tanan na unta sa mga aspiring leaders tagaan gyud nila ug pagtagad ang panginahanglan sa amoang community especially sa amoang mga igsoong Lumad nga katong gitanggalan nila ug kaugmaon nga unta after aning 2025 election ila ning bitbiton sa ilahang mga part sa ilahang agenda nga tagaan ug pagtagad ang amoang sector tungod isa sa mga ginaasahan sa amoang sector ang kaning edukasyon,” Nakan said.
Sheirelle Anino, Vice Chairman of UMIP, said IP and Moro scholars cannot apply for scholarships and continue their studies anymore due to the budget cut.
She also underscored the importance of education to the new generations of the IPs and the Moros.
“Naay uban nga upcoming pa ug mukuha ug scholarship apan dili na maka-apply tungod kay gikuhaan man ta ug budget for the educational scholarship. Balik mi usab sa amoang advocacy kung kinsa man ang mga upcoming na atoang mga liders hopefully, ang edukasyon tagaan nila ug bili kay ang edukasyon importante labi na sa mga IP and Moro communities para our new generations maedukar ug maayo,” she said.
