This Week’s Milestones: Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, 2018

Oct. 29, 1997

Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act was signed into law by then President Fidel Ramos.

The landmark legislation ensured the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples to their beliefs, traditions, customary laws and ancestral domain.

The law also created the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), which is under the Office of the President.

The NCIP is the primary government agency tasked to formulate and implement policies and measures to guarantee the realization of the rights of indigenous groups.

Nov. 2, 1929

The old province of Misamis was divided into two separate provinces — Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental — by virtue of Legislative Act No. 3537.

Misamis Occidental is composed of 14 towns and three cities, with Oroquieta City as its capital.

Misamis Oriental is composed of 23 municipalities and three cities, including its capital Cagayan de Oro City.

Misamis supposedly came from the Spanish word “misa,” which means Mass.

Another legend claims that Misamis is derived from  Subanon word “kuyamis,” a variety of coconut, which is the staple food of the early settlers of the province.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research