ETHNIC TRIBES CLAIM BAGUIO
Baguio City, Oct. 19, 1997 - Leaders of indigenous people's organizations are demanding that Baguio Cit be included in the package of ancestral lands to be returned to the native tribes of the Cordilleras. This city is specifically excluded from the category as defined by House Bill 33, or the Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA) authored by Rep. Bernardo Vergara of Baguio.
Section 84 of the IPRA says the law "shall not apply to lands of the City of Baguio which shall remain to be governed by its charter and its townsite reservation limits." Davao, Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa are likewise being reclaimed by ethnic tribes, but the IPRA does not mention these places.
According to congress sources, the tribal leaders are quite late in seeking major amendments to the bill, which was already passed on second reading in the House. A counterpart Senate Bill was passed on third reading several months ago. The IPRA was certified as urgent by President Ramos.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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