NCIP-XI strengthen capacity of IPOs in royalty management

A 4-day conference held in Tagum City was organized by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) – Region XI inviting more than 50 participants coming from various indigenous peoples organizations (IPOs).

Lack of transparency in IP royalties was cited by Atty. Geroncio R. Aguio, regional director of NCIP, as among the root cause of conflict among IPOs. He also added that the NCIP guidelines on royalty management remains vague.He called upon the conference to discuss with various stakeholders and make formal suggestions to the Commission.

There was a sharing of best practices in royalty management among indigenous peoples groups. Mining companies were also present in the event to present their programs in areas where they have existing mining tenements. Sagittarius Mines Inc. presented their community development program while the Mindanao Business Council presented their organization’s engagements with indigenous peoples, local governments, and businesses.

​Taganito Mining Corporation presented their projects within the ancestral domain they are operating in such as their partnership with Gawad Kalinga which saw the building of 120 homes for the Mamanwas of Taganito and Urbiztundo.

Ms. Beverly Besmanos, Bantay Kita’s Mindanao subnational coordinator, raised BK’s capacity building programs for community-based monitoring on one of the open forums. NADECOR responded positively with a possible partnership.