Aborlan Councilor Joel Lumis Jr. has been re-appointed temporarily by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as the indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) to the Palawan provincial board.
Lumis said Wednesday that he was ordered by the NCIP to “re-admit” while waiting for the approval of the certificate of affirmation (COA) of the incoming IPMR which has been delayed.
The NCIP does not want the post to be left vacant, he said.
“Actually, nakaraan ‘di ba nagpa-selection na tayo tapos kung maalala niyo nagpaalam din tayo. Wala pang representasyon dito, wala pa — kaya humingi kami ng legal advice sa NCIP at ang sabi nga pansamantala hangga’t wala pa ay uupo muna. Ang gusto lang kasi talaga ay hindi mabakantehan ang posisyon lalo na ang mga kapatid natin na katutubo kapag may na-oospital at least kapag dito tayo ay kahit papaano ay naaalalayan sila,” Lumis pointed out.
The reappointment, he said will not affect his position as councilor of Aborlan.
“Tingin ko hindi naman kasi kung titingnan mo ‘yong Aborlan ay lugar ‘yan ng tribong Tagbanua, majority na pinaglilingkuran ko ay katutubo at isa pa dito sa Provincial Board representasyon din tayo ng mga katutubo,”he added.
Lumis said he will vacate his office as soon as there is a COA for the qualified IPMR.
“Wala pang COA, kaya nga hinihintay natin. Kung sino man ‘yon ay agad naman tayong bababa ng opisina natin. Ayaw lang talaga natin na mabakantehan,” he also said.
An IPMR can be chosen among the seven IPs in the province — Cuyonon, Cagayanen, Agutaynen, Tagbanua, Batak, Pala’wan and Molbog to sit in the provincial board.
The IP representative goes through a selection process of tribe chieftains, Lumis said.
