The Joint Monitoring and Grievance Team (JMGT), operating under the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), recently inspected the programs and projects of Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) to see if the company is following its agreement with the Indigenous Peoples Development Office-Barong Barong, Aribungos, Calasaguen, Maasin, and Mambalot (IPDO-BICAMM).
The JMGT is composed of two representatives each from INC, NCIP, and the Indigenous communities, allowing for shared oversight and joint decision-making.
The inspection, done from February 16 to 21, was intended to make sure INC is keeping the promises it made during the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, which is meant to give Indigenous communities a say in projects affecting their land and resources.
The JMGT also checked that the royalty payments from INC’s operations are properly given to IPDO-BICAMM, the officially recognized Indigenous group, as required by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
The review also looked into how the royalty funds are being used and made sure that the communities’ questions and concerns are addressed. The monitoring aims to protect the rights of Indigenous people while ensuring the company follows the rules.
