Regarding the Revised Charter of Baguio City that is now pending in the Senate, one particular provision in the old Baguio Charter that was not included in it is that one for an Advisory Council of five members who shall be Igorots.
The Advisory Council is supposed “to hold meetings on the request of any three members transmitted to the city secretary or when convened by the mayor. The presiding officer shall be the mayor or other member of the city council designated by him. It shall be the duty of the said presiding officer to explain or cause to be explained to the advisory council all action taken or proposed by the city council regarding ordinances, public improvements, and other matters of general interest to the population of the city, to ascertain its views thereon, and on other subjects concerning which the advisory council is desirous of making recommendations or suggestions; and to present said recommendations and suggestions to the city council or the proper city officer for consideration”.
For many years, no advisory council of five Igorots has been working with the City Council and/or the City Mayor after the Americans left.
Why this is the case until now, I do not know yet. May be there is an answer.
May be an old Ibaloi still living can tell why the Ibalois who were the Igorottes who were deprived of their lands can answer this question.
And may be the young ones now will seek the re-institution of this provision of the Old City Charter and work for a re-revision of the Revised City Charter that is now pending in the Senate.
The Local Government Code of 1991 also provides for the representation of the Indigenous Peoples in the City Council. At present, there are two (2) city councilors from the Ibaloi/Igorot tribe of Baguio City. Although they can speak for the Ibalois also, their presence in the City Council is due to their having been elected at large, or by the citizenry of the City of Baguio, and not as representatives of the Ibaloi/Igorot or Indigenous Sector as provided by the laws.
