Ilocos Norte IPs formally forms INCC

NUEVA Era mayor Caroline Garvida and Nueva Era vice mayor Atty. Aldrin Garvida lead the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with officials of the other three tribal communities Carasi, Dumalneg and Adams. The MOA formalizes the Ilocos Norte Cultural Communities (INCC) with the four towns as primary members. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte—Four Ilocos Norte municipalities formally formed the Ilocos Norte Cultural Communities (INCC) after their representatives signed a memorandum of agreement.

The MOA signing coincided with the 18^th INCC Festival held April 26, 2018 in this town.

Nueva Era mayor Caroline A. Garvida identified the signees as the towns of Nueva Era, Adams, Carasi and Dumalneg.

The four towns formed INCC based on Republic Act 8371, or the Indigenous People’s Right Act (IPRA) of 1997. The said law provides that the state shall recognize, protect and promote the rights of the Indigenous Cultural Communities and IPs.

Mrs. Garvida said that for almost two decades, these tribal municipalities and the ethnic tribes like the Tinguians/Itnegs, Isnegs/Isnags and the Yapayaos/Igorots conducted activities through the spirit of mutual understanding.

The MOA, Mrs. Garvida stressed, will further strengthen and solidify the camaraderie and friendship through their respective beliefs, customs and traditions.

The agreement aims to establish a closer relationship and strengthen the spirit of unity among these tribal municipalities and protect the rights and preserve the customs, beliefs and traditions of the INCC municipalities.

They will also conduct joint activities supported by available financial resources relative to the welfare and development of the ICCs/IPs towards the enrichment of their culture, economic stability, tourism industry that pave way for the upliftment of the economic well-being of the community.

It also offers the assistance to the IP community in the event, occurrence or aftermath of calamities, disaster, catastrophe or in crisis situations.

The understanding also jointly and cooperatively assert assistance from the national government agencies and international organizations towards ICC and IP programs and development IPs.

As of press time, Mrs. Garvida said that there are at least 20,000 IPs in Ilocos Norte; this town alone has around 8,000 IPs.

IPs in the province initially launched the INCC festival in 1997 “through the spirit of mutual understanding” wherein they celebrate it every year with all the four towns taking turns in hosting it.

They, however, suspend the festival during local and national elections.

This year, Nueva Era as host, organized different activities including the first IP health summit attended by the DOH, provincial health office, Batac Hospital, PhilHealth and personnel from the MMSU. MMSU’s College of Medicine Dean Dr. Rick Guanson served as special guest.

During the Tribal Congress, The National Youth Commission (NYC) discussed the IP Youth Council.

Vintar IPs, particularly from Brgys. Gubang and Isic-Isic participated in this year INCC, with Ert Agbayani and Macarid Gudayan as representatives, respectively.

Other highlights of this year’s INCC is Search for Mr. & Miss INCC 2018 held right after the MOA signing.

The winners are: Mr. Ilocos Norte Cultural Communities Glendelwin Salmasan of Nueva Era; Ms. INCC Jinky Yarcia also of Nueva Era; Mr. INCC Tourism Sade Sayno Acosta of Adams; Ms. INCC Tourism Jowana Rose Vidad of Adams; Mr. INCC Goodwill, Chris John Cacuyong of Nueva Era; and Ms. INCC Goodwill Wenslette Imee Balauro of Nueva Era.