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NCIP launches IP MNCHN Project-Mindanao

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Press Release

November 1, 2012

NCIP launches IP MNCHN Project-Mindanao, celebrates 15thIPRA anniversary with Pres. Aquino

Manila City- In line with the 15th year celebration of the signing of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples made a soft launching of the Indigenous Peoples Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health and Nutrition Project-Mindanao (IP MNCHN Project-Mindanao) last October 26-30, 2012, at GSIS Building in Pasay City.

The activity was attended by all NCIP regional offices and various Indigenous Peoples Organizations and government agencies of the country.  The highlight of the celebration was the visit of His Excellency President Benigno Aquino, III during the culmination program last October 30, 2012 at GSIS theatre.

The one-week culminating activities of the IPRA Month started with the IP Women Convention last October 26, 2012 which also had Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Hon. Etta Rosales and House Representative Nancy Catamco as among the occasion’s esteemed guests.  An IP cultural exhibit was also mounted by NCIP national office at GSIS Museum where IP MNCHN Project-Mindanao was among the participating groups. 

“It was a timely occasion for us to disseminate, in a nationwide scale, the information about the project and elaborate on the significance of a culture-sensitive health care for our Indigenous Peoples especially for the IP women and children with regards to their maternal, neonatal, and nutrition. IPRA includes the health rights of our Indigenous Peoples as among their basic human rights and we believe that the project will contribute significantly in the provision and protection of these rights,” IP MNCHN Project Director Dr. Lilibeth D. Malabanan said.

NCIP Chairperson Hon. Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid congratulated the IP women and children of Mindanao for having been chosen as beneficiaries of the project.  “They are so blessed because the program is not just to do a research but actually to cure whatever is there that they look for in terms of the neonatal and maternal health, which, according to the government is the biggest mortality,” she said.

“Davao is doing IPRA a very big favor, of being able to forward a health program that is very scientifically based and very well supported.  Hopefully, from here on, we will do the same programs for all the regions,” Hon. Pawid adding in relation to IPRA month celebration.

The House Committee Chairperson on National Cultural Communities Hon. Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat, Jr. was optimistic about the project saying “I do hope that this program with the European Union would not only address the actual delivery of services but also the establishment of proper protocol and systems in recognizing the indigenous practices of the IPs when it comes to health”.

IP MNCHN Project-Mindanao is a landmark health program for the country’s Indigenous Peoples. This project with the European Union will work hardly on establishing the Indigenous Cultural Communities of Mindanao as capable health care providers themselves and as the foundation of the country’s IP health program.

For reference: Estelito Ocampo, IP MNCHN Project Communications Specialist,Contact # 0946-265-6205     

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