In a recent regional staff conference and turnover ceremony held at the NCIP-9 regional office here, Director Sunggod officially handed over the office to Director Wong in the presence of Ethnographic Commissioner Datu Cosme M. Lambayon, representatives and leaders of indigenous peoples (IP) in the region as well as NCIP regional and provincial personnel.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Director Sunggod disclosed that he was able to institute fiscal and administrative reforms resulting in the dismissal of nine key personnel who were charged with administrative cases.
“We have now our own financial management in accordance with the existing accounting rules and regulations following the ‘Tuwid na Daan’ of President Aquino,” Sunggod emphasized.
“Another accomplishment we have is the increased cooperation and collaboration of NCIP with the different sectors of the society, the non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society and other government agencies,” Sunggod added.
He further said that the problem of polarization or divisions among IP leaders and the IP communities was successfully addressed by the agency.
Sunggod also encouraged the IPs in the region including the personnel and staff of NCIP-9 to work hard to sustain the reforms undertaken by the agency.
“There are things that we have accomplished but, more issues, problems and concerns have to be addressed,” stressed the outgoing director.
“These cannot be addressed alone by the NCIP, We need the support particularly of our IP leaders and other government agencies,” Sunggod pointed out adding that “we do believe that we cannot attain peace and development in our region without the support of all sectors of our society.”
Sunggod hopes that all other government agencies including the local government units will give their all-out support to the cause of the IPs most particularly those living in the hinterlands “that they may enjoy their living in their own ancestral domain freely and securely.”