Solon proposes creation of tribal town in North Cotabato‏

KIDAPAWAN CITY, July 20 (PNA) - Cotabato second district Rep. Nancy Catamco is set to submit a proposal on the creation of a tribal municipality in her legislative district once Congress opens on July 26.

Catamco, in a consultative-dialogue with the indigenous peoples' community held today here, said the tribal municipality she is set to create would be composed of villages where majority are natives.

Tribal-dominated villages are located in the hinterland towns of Arakan, Magpet, Upper President Roxas, Tulunan, Matalam, Antipas, Makilala, and Kidapawan City, all in the second district of North Cotabato.

Catamco, who belongs to the Bagobo tribe, said the creation of a tribal town in North Cotabato will ensure that the culture, customs, and traditions, of the tribal people would be protected, preserved, and respected.

Catamco was also surprised that the funding for the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was too small as compared to the budget allotted to other government agencies and bureaus.

The national government has appropriated this year some P579 million for the NCIP, more than half of which goes to payment of salaries and other personnel services of the commission.

Catamco conducted today her first consultative-dialogue with the indigenous peoples' community, which she said, was needed in laying down the framework for whatever legislative measures she would propose in the 15th Congress when it opens on July 26.

Catamco has sought the help of former national treasurer Leonor Magtulis-Briones, executive director of the Social Watch Philippines and an expert on the indigenous and Moro peoples' issues, in laying down the proposal for the creation of a tribal town in her district.

The consultation today was the first in the series of dialogues she intends to conduct in order "to get to the bottom of the issues."

"I want the rights of the tribal peoples, their cultures and traditions respected and protected," said Catamco. (PNA)