The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) supports and one with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) in pushing the Operationalization of the 11 Building Blocks of a resilient responsive and relevant Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People (ICC/IP).
This was emphasized by the NOLCOM Commander, LtGen Ernesto T Torres Jr, during the “Healing Reconciliation and Operationalizing the 11 Building Blocks in the Ancestral Domain in Support of the Whole of Nation Approach by Empowering the FRs, IP Youth-EPs, and IP Leaders Pampanga-Tarlac Cluster” held at Kanlahi Convention Hall , Diwa ng Tarlac, Tarlac City on September 12-13, 2022.
These 11 building blocks provided in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act(IPRA) are confirmation of Indigenous Political Structure (IPS); Registration and Accreditation of Indigenous Peoples Organizations; Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title and Certificate of Ancestral Land Title Delineation Process; establishment of AD Management Office; Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan Formulation; IP Wealth Management-Community Resource Management Development Plan Formulation; Institutionalization of CP: Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Exercise of Priority Rights; effective IPMR in the Local Legislative Bodies; efficient and enhanced MOA/MOU/MOC Formulation, Socio-Economic Activities with IP Cooperatives, and Ancestral Domain Defense System.
LtGen Ernesto T Torres Jr, stated that the operationalization of the 11 building blocks assures the continuation of the Whole of Nation strategy in addressing the root cause of insurgency as well as the delivery of government services to IPs.
“The NOLCOM will remain committed to protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Central Luzon from the Communist Terrorist Group’s exploitation; we will continue to establish people’s organizations and work with the IPs to protect them from exploitation and to further develop their indigenous communities,” he added.
During the activity, a peace covenant was also forged among IPs and government agencies to manifest their commitment to the healing, reconciliation, and operationalizing of the 11 building blocks in the ancestral domain in support of the whole of nation approach by empowering former rebels, IP youth, and leaders.
“I have faith that as we have sealed this activity with the peace covenant ritual and commitment of support, we will become stronger, united and committed in implementing programs that will capacitate and empower our dear IPs, protect their rights and develop a progressive cultural community,” said LtGen Ernesto T. Torres Jr.
He also urged the IP mandatory representatives (IPMR), elders, and IP youth to band together because he believes that no native community can be successful and peaceful until tribal leaders unite together.
These on-going series of NCIP workshops on the operationalization of the 11 building blocks was already held in the regions of CAR, I and II in August. Following the Tarlac and Pampanga clusters, similar activities will also be held in the province of Bataan and Zambales, all under the NOLCOM area of operations.
