BUTUAN CITY – The Agusan del Sur indigenous peoples (IP) leaders attended the 2022 State of Provincial Address (SOPA) of Governor Santiago Cane, Jr. and Oath-Taking Ceremony of Newly-Elected Officials in the Province of Agusan del Sur during the 7th Special Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on June 17, 2022 at the Covered Court, Sports Complex, Governor D.O. Plaza Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The newly elected officials took their oath before the newly appointed judges of the Regional Trial Court Branch 6, 7, and 55.
Regional Director Ordonio Rocero, Jr., Acting Provincial Officer of Agusan del Sur Atty. Leslie Plaza, and Regional Legal Officer Atty. Fritzie Lynne Sumando also showed support to the momentous activity, all natives of Loreto, Talacogon, and Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, respectively.
Governor Cane declared that six percent of the population was lifted above poverty line. There was tremendous appreciation of the frontliners for the quality healthcare services provided to them during the pandemic. A molecular laboratory was established and added as testing center in Caraga.
Moreover, there was emphasis on Build, Build, Build (BBB) program bringing services through road development, harnessing potentials in agriculture, reducing poverty through employment and enterprise development, and promoting tourism growth.
The Province of Agusan del Sur committed to helping the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) and ensuring that Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) are obtained for projects, programs, and activities within the ancestral domains.
The said province is home to 13 approved Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs), one of which is the largest in terms of area in the whole Caraga Region. There are six ongoing CADT applications, three CADTiable with application and four CADTiable without application, a total of 26 ancestral domains.
The ICCs/IPs of Agusan del Sur shall remain steadfast partners for the collective and orchestrated efforts for development. (NCIP-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
