Together with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) MIMAROPA Region and different national government agencies, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA joins the celebration of the Indigenous People’s (IP) month and 23rd anniversary of the passage of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), today, October 21, 2020.
With the theme “Correcting Historical Injustices for Indigenous Peoples Rights and Welfare”, this year’s celebration includes the creation of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) on IP Health that will provide technical assistance to local counterparts, advocate IP to other stakeholders, and monitor the implementation of all IP health-related programs in the region.
“Kami, sa DSWD MIMAROPA, ay taos-pusong sumusuporta sa layuning masiguro ang kapakanan at karapatan ng mga katutubo pagdating sa kalusugan. Dahil ang isang malusog na komunidad ay isang malusog na bayan tungo sa mas siguradong kinabukasan ng bawat isa”, said by Ms. Purificacion R. Arriola, Officer-in-Charge Regional Director.
In support of the RIAC on IP Health, the DSWD MIMAROPA will assist in the monitoring of compliance to health conditions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) IP beneficiaries; assist in the dissemination of information of health programs and services during the conduct of family development sessions; gather IP-related health concerns and provide regular feedback to other member agencies based on the result of the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee meetings, and; provide financial assistance to IPs with pressing health condition through Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
According to NCIP Commissioner for Island Group and Rest of Visayas Jorge Largado, DSWD MIMAROPA is one of the government agencies that help their office in carrying out programs to preserve the culture and traditions of different IP groups in the region and providing them access to the government health system.
Meanwhile, a technical working group was created whose functions will focus on gathering issues, concerns, and needs through IP community consultations, create and implement strategies and activities at each level aligned to the IP Health Strategic Plan, and provide capacity building, interventions, and technical assistance to regional, provincial, and local counterparts. ###
