Councilor Datu Roberto "Datu Makilala" P. Cabaring is a true-blooded member of the Higaonon tribe and a long-time chieftain of the Nahilaran Ancestral Domain, situated in Barangay Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City. This year, they received the Certificate of Recognition (COR) and are awaiting their native title, known as CADTI, in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

​

He was appointed as the City IPMR (Indigenous Political Mandatory Representative) in June 2024. Datu Makilala is committed to fulfilling and exercising the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) under RA 8371, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU). His goal is to recognize and promote the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities / Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), with due respect to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions.

​

He is dedicated to delivering quality services as a partner and advocate to genuinely empower the 17 IP Barangays: Tablon, FS Catanico, Cugman, Balubal, Besigan, Tignapoloan, Dansolihon, Mambuaya, Bayanga, Lumbia, Tagpangi, Pagalongan, Taglimao, Tuburan, Pigsag-an, Tumpagon, and San Simon of Cagayan de Oro City, along with their Barangay IPMRs, Limbobongan, Babaehon, IP youth, and the entire IP community.

​

To further fulfill the mandate of the IPMR, Councilor Roberto P. Cabaring, known as “Datu Makilala,” plans, with the guidance of UGIS-Magbabaya, to efficiently carry out his functions related to policy and law-making, formulating and implementing roles concerning ancestral domains and lands, fund sourcing and allocation, and representing the IPs, among others.