ILOILO City – Right to ancestral domain. Self-governance and empowerment. Social justice and human rights. Cultural integrity.
These were their top concerns, according to indigenous peoples (IPs) who attended a recent three-day Visayas regional action planning workshop on IPs at the Diamond Jubilee Hall here.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) heard the issues and concerns of indigenous cultural communities and their leaders.
Representatives of line agencies of the government were also present.
“This is in line with the thrust of our beloved President to help our IP siblings. You (IPs) have your own land, and what you need to do is develop that based on your culture and tradition,” said Jeorge Largado, NCIP commissioner.
The workshop was also in line with the President’s Executive Order 70 institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in ending the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC). Thus also present were officials from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Foreign Affairs, among others.
The following also emerged during the panel discussion:
* lack of knowledge of the IPs regarding the process of acquiring land titles for their ancestral domains
* lack of will of some local government units to have Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR)
* lack of knowledge of the young generation of the IP’s tradition and culture, among others
“They have voiced their concerns and issues that can be addressed by various government line agencies,” Largado said. “We need to address the issues of the IP. We do not focus on only one, but all of their needs.” (PNA)
