First and foremost, warm greetings to Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, Legislative Affairs at the Department of Social Welfare and Development; the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las; to the panelists in today’s forum; to the leaders of the Indigenous Peoples who are here with us today; the representatives of various government agencies and private sector groups; and to all participants this morning. Good morning to all of you.
It is a pleasure to welcome you all to this event today, where we will share and discuss the findings of a new report titled "No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines." This report could not have been written without contributions from our partners in the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and International Conflict Alert in the Philippines. Thank you very much for sharing your insights, knowledge, and data for this report.
Let me share three takeaways from the report that will be elaborated upon during today's presentation.
First, more ethnicity-disaggregated data is needed to clearly identify Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and other ethnic minorities. When disaggregating data, it becomes apparent that IPs are disadvantaged in several critical aspects of well-being compared to non-IPs. These include education, labor, access to productive opportunities, and gender equality.
Second, geographical areas in the Philippines with higher concentrations of IP populations are associated with less conflict overall. However, delays in processing ancestral domain titles can increase conflict. It is crucial to support NCIP in processing delineation and registration of Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) faster.
Finally, deliberate policies aimed at enhancing indigenous peoples' access to water and sanitation services, education, health services as well as economic opportunities while preserving their cultural identity can improve their living standards. Many IPs live in geographically isolated areas. Enhancing development through improved connectivity can accelerate poverty reduction within these communities.
As its title suggests, the report emphasizes closing the data gap to inform policies aimed at improving IP welfare. There are good examples where this has been done effectively. For instance,"the DSWD has integrated multiple ethnicity variables into many programs," ensuring social protection programs reach IPs and track support provided through initiatives like Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.
The Philippines has made notable achievements recognizing IP land rights. In Southeast Asia,"the country is considered a pioneer for using stewardship agreements" established in early 1980s recognizing IP resource management rights practices."The 1987 Philippine Constitution also made important progress towards government recognition of IP rights."
In 1997,the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) paved way for formal recognition over customary rights ancestral lands.Under IPRA Ancestral Domains(ADs) formally recognized through CADTs,CALTs covering terrestrial coastal aquatic ecosystems.Further efforts nevertheless needed improving welfare strengthening land governance improving dispute resolution mechanisms overlapping titles inclusive effective implementation CADTs/IPRA
Improving welfare important strengthening inclusive sustainable growth respecting integrating indigenous knowledge practices sustainable development protecting rights land resources providing inclusive access services economic opportunities essential long-term social cohesion
The World Bank committed supporting country's efforts improve Filipino's hope succeeding activities under Engagement Strategy inform policies development programs advocacy efforts improve poverty reduction strategies targeting current future social programs
Let me stop there wishing productive fruitful discussion
Download Report
Read Press Release