To promote, preserve, and advance the culture and heritage of the Indigenous People and Moro communities, the tribal leaders in the city created the United Moro Indigenous People Movement (UMIP).
UMIP Chairperson Gabriel Nakan, during the UMIP media launch on February 26, said the movement will serve as a “unified voice of Moro and Indigenous communities including Balik Islam” that strive for cultural empowerment, social justice, and generational progress.
“Our purpose is committed to fostering unity, preserving indigenous identities, and advocating for the rights and welfare of our communities,” he said.
The UMIP aims to build an informed and engaged society as well as to empower Moro and Indigenous People to amplify their voices, and take part in nation building.
Nakan said the Moro and IP communities are facing several issues including an educational crisis caused by the lack of budget allocation for the education benefits that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples used to provide.
“The lack of budget allocation for the free education benefits previously provided by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has severely impacted our communities,” he said.
“Indigenous and Moro youth are being deprived of their right to education, endangering their future and limiting opportunities to social mobility,” he added.
There is also the issue of accessible healthcare in the Moro and IP communities, as well as in peace and security.
The UMIP plans on going to communities in the city to conduct information drives anchored to promoting, preserving, and advancing the traditions, values, and heritage of the 11 ethnolinguistic groups in the city.
Nakan added that the UMIP is also pushing for good governance and electoral integrity.
The UMIP urges the Moro and IP communities to be informed, vigilant, and engage in the electoral process keeping in mind that governance should be rooted in service, integrity, and genuine concern for the people. CIO
