March 28, 2024

Indigenous peoples of La Trinidad have chosen its current indigenous peoples mandatory representative to continue representing them at the municipal council.

IPMR Pendon Thompson, whose term is supposed to end this year, is unopposed in the bid for IPMR.

In the guidelines for the selection of IPMR, those who are unopposed will automatically sit as representative.

The selection was held at Paltingan, Lower Wangal, during the town’s celebration of the IP Month.

The celebration with the theme, “Correcting historical injustice for indigenous people’s rights and welfare,” was attended by representatives from the 16 barangays of La Trinidad.

Selection was through an assembly witnessed by a representative from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and town officials.

Marcelo Abella was the first IMPR in the municipality followed by Thompson who took his oath in 2017 after garnering 53 votes.

In 2009, the NCIP released guidelines for the IPMR urging local government units to have an IP representative to complete the 10 members of the municipal council. – Ofelia C. Empian