The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bauang, under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III, conducted an Information Education Campaign (IEC) on January 10, 2025 at Barangay Guerrero Covered Court, Guerrero, Bauang, La Union.

The series of IECs in Bauang aim to inform IP members of the Revised National Guidelines for the Mandatory Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Legislative Councils and Policy-Making Bodies and to select Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs). This particular IEC aimed to select five barangay Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from Barangays Acao, Guerrero, Palugsi-Limmansangan, Quinavite, and Santiago.

In attendance were Sangguniang Bayan Members Hon. Veronica T. Bernardo and Hon. Myrna U Ligas, Municipal Administrator for Operations Wilson Samuel C. Caluza (representing Mayor De Guzman), Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Helen L. Jubilado, barangay IP leaders, elders, and members from the five (5) barangays, and NCIP officials and employees.

The officials present greeted everyone a Happy New Year. “Idi pay lang 1991 adda representative ti IP’n ngem awan pay linteg na. Representation is very important,” said Hon. Veronica T. Bernardo. “May mayat nga awan ti mabatbati kinyatayu duray anya relihiyon yu,” remarked Hon. Myrna U. Ligas.

In the afternoon, there was a signing of legislative guidelines for each barangay participant.

The Closing Remarks was delivered by Matthew Simongo, IPO President of Gurerrero, Bauang, La Union. He thanked all the IP members who participated in the IEC of the NCIP.

IPMR Elections for the said barangays are scheduled for February to March.

Written and Photographed by: Korina Esteban-Ma