Increasing Indigenous Peoples’ access to water, sanitation, education, health services, and economic opportunities while preserving their cultural identities could significantly improve their living standards, according to a World Bank report released today.
The report, "No Story, No Data: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines," emphasizes that more data and quicker processing of legal land titles would further benefit Indigenous Peoples. These communities share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live or from which they have been displaced.
Approximately 9.4 million people identified as indigenous live in the Philippines, representing about 8.7% of the population. Many reside in geographically disadvantaged areas. Enhancing these regions through improved connectivity and other interventions can accelerate poverty reduction within these communities. Additionally, more ethnicity-disaggregated data could improve poverty reduction strategies and social program targeting.
"Understanding the interplay of ethnicity, gender, and geography is crucial to comprehending the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples," said World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand Ndiamé Diop. "It is apparent that Indigenous Peoples are at a disadvantage in several critical aspects of well-being."
The 2023 Indigenous Peoples Survey reveals that approximately 59% of Indigenous Peoples perceive themselves as “poor,” compared to 52% of non-indigenous people. Almost half view education, health access to clean water, and social assistance as pressing concerns for government action.
Approximately 51% of Indigenous Peoples consider themselves "food poor," higher than the 45% reported by non-Indigenous groups. Both groups experience hunger at similar rates: around 37% of Indigenous Peoples and 36% of non-Indigenous people reported instances of hunger in the past three months.
Indigenous populations also lag behind in educational metrics; smaller percentages advance beyond primary school or attain post-secondary education compared to non-Indigenous populations. Those with only primary education often find employment in agriculture or self-employment sectors.
Despite these challenges, nearly 90% of Indigenous Peoples express pride in their identity, with over 70% feeling a strong sense of belonging to the country.
Strengthening and protecting legal recognition of rights to ancestral domains is seen as another avenue for improving welfare. "For Indigenous Peoples, land is a fundamental aspect of their identity," said World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist Carlos Perez-Brito. "Protecting land rights is crucial for addressing poverty and conflict."
While Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles have been approved for about 20.5% of the country’s total land area, processing has been slow due to overlapping mandates and scarce resources.
Data gaps also hinder understanding the complexity and diversity within Indigenous populations in the Philippines. The report recommends standardized guidelines for data collection on Indigenous Peoples incorporating relevant indicators into national surveys and including ethnicity variables in government statistics.