A former assemblyman of the Regional Autonomous Government in Region 9 is now the new commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) representing North-Western Mindanao vice Atty. Reuben Lingating.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Miguel Imbing Sia Apostol who was the popular choice of the tribal chieftains and IP communities in the region.

Apostol, an active media practitioner was elected twice as President of the Zamboanga Press Club and was known as the “umcompromising and hard-hitting” columnist of the daily community newspaper, Zamboanga Times.

Also known as a “man of all seasons”, Apostol was former instructor in political science in the Universidad de Zamboanga and served as executive secretary of the former mayor of the “City of Flowers”.

A native of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, Apostol was also elected President of the Board of Directors of the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO).

Shortly before his appointment as NCIP commissioner, he resigned from his lucrative position of regional manager of the Visayas & Mindanao Prohealth Pharmaceuticals to accommodate the popular clamor of Mindanao’s highlanders to represent them in the commission.

In a brief statement, the young commissioner said he will get to the bottom of the problems confronting the cultural communities and help them uplift their economic well-being.

“But first, the NCIP field offices in Mindanao must be restructured with a workforce that is effective, responsive and dedicated to the service”, he concluded.

Last update : 22-08-2007 15:45

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