SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) OF THE l'HlLIPPINES ) Second Regular Session ) '\4 DEC 17 P5 :04 SENATE S.B. NO. 2.5 2 4 Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 1 i 3 4 5 AN ACT MANDATING TI-IE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND NON-MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT LITIGANTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES WHILE IN ATTENDANCE OF HEARINGS OR PROCEEDINGS IN THE NCIP 6 7 .8 9 10 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Section 44 of Republic Act 8371 is hereby amended to read as follows: 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 .18 19 Section 44. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the NCII' shall have the following powers, jurisdiction and [unction: a) To serve as the primary government agency through which ICCs/IPs can seek government assistance and as the medium, thorough which such assistance may be extended[;], AND TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, AND OTHER NON-MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT ICCS/IPS WHO ARE LITIGANTS BEFORE ANY PROCEEDINGS; ,20 21 22 23 b) To review and assess the conditions of ICCs/IPs including eXlst1l1g laws and policies pertinent thereto and to propose relevant laws and policies to address their role in national development; 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 c) To formulate and implemcnt policies, plans, programs and projects for tbe economic, social and cultural development of the ICCs/IPs and to monitor the implementation thereof; cl) To request and engage the services and support of experts from other agencies of government or employ private experts and consultants as may be required in the pursuit of its objectives; e) To issue certillcate of ancestrallancl/domain title; 34 35 36 I) Subject to existing laws, to enter into contracts, agreements, or arrangement, with government or private agencies or entities as mal' be necessary to attain the objectives