Amas, Kidapawan City – Newly-elected Cotabato Governor, Honorable Nancy Alaan Catamco took oath Sunday, June 30 at a jam-packed provincial gymnasium vowing to pursue a participatory governance which will be called as “Dumaki”, a Manobo term which means “Kuyog Ta” in Visayan dialect.
Governor Catamco, who was a three-termer Legislator of Cotabato Province’s 2nd Congressional District, hails from Barangay Saguing, Makilala and the 4thchild ofthe ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Proceso Catamco.
She is the province’s first-ever Manobo Chief Executive and the 25thelected Governor and the 3rd lady Governor.
To advance the welfare of the Indigenous Peoples, Catamco authored in Congress the “Proposed Creation of a Department of Indigenous Peoples”, “Establishment of a Training Center in Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province”, “Inclusion of Indigenous Culture Education in the Curricula of Schools in all Levels in the Country”, “Granting of Benefits and Special Privileges for Indigenous Peoples and the Proposed “Creation of Barangays for Indigenous Peoples”. These were still for referral to other Committees.
During her inaugural speech on Sunday, she stressed that she will be a “listening and unifying leader” that “palakasan” system or “sipsip” mentality are a total no, no in her administration.
“All sectors will be consulted in all levels of decision-making because we want to promote a participatory leadership”, she said.
Governor Catamco also disclosed that her priority projects will include the establishment of MALASAKIT CENTERS in all government hospitals in the province, provision of safe drinkingwater, Housing and Land Development, Sports for Peace and scholarship for the province’s youth sector; a RevitalizedLocal Enterprise and Agricultural Development, among others.
The Governor added that her administration will also ensure that the mandates of the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples will be respected in the province and IP communities will be empowered by implementing provisions of the Indigenous People’ Rights Act.
She ended Sunday’s inauguration rites by inviting everyone—“DUMAKI, Kuyog Ta”. Let’s make sure that preferential attention will be given to those who have less in life here in our province”. //ozg\\
