Appointment of IPs in Transcom lauded

An indigenous member of the House of Representatives Tuesday lauded the inclusion and eventual appointment of two members of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Transition Commission (Transcom) which will draft the basic law for the new autonomous political entity in southern Philippines.
Rep. Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato’s second congressional district said she personally thanked President Aquino for the appointment of Froilyn Mendoza and Temuay Melanio Ulama to the Transcom.
She said with that the voice of the indigenous peoples will be heard as far as the creation of a new political entity in areas where the IPs live.
Catamco said the two IP representatives in the Transcom, Mendoza, a Teduday native from Upi, Maguindanao and former contingent member of the International Monitoring Team and Temuay Ulama, a lumad member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panel board of consultants, has made the Transcom as truly represented by all sectors.
President Aquino also named other members from various sectors who are directly affected by the creation of a new political entity in Mindanao.
Catamco said Mendoza was an IP women endorsed by women’s groups.
In House Resolution No. 3008, authored by Catamco, she asked President Aquino to name an IP woman representative to the Transcom and she was elated the President did.
Mendoza has been very active in advancing women’s issues, according to Caramco.
Ulama, on the other hand, was an active member of Timuay Justice and Governance.
With two women representatives in the Transcom, Catamco said the IP women will have strong representation in the body that will create a Basic Law for the new autonomous region.
Both Mendoza and Ulama were recommended by the government.
Catamco said the two IP members will push for the issues that directly affect the indigenous peoples, especially the ancestral domain issue, integration and respect of the cultural heritage of IPs and their participation in local governance. (PNA)