[Press Release] World IP Day celebration calls for women empowerment, IP solon, NCIP rally support

Quezon City—The House Committee on National Cultural Communities (NCC) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) led the World IP Day celebration at the House of Representatives yesterday. The 17th World IP Day celebration, with the theme Karapatan, Kasarinlan at Kapayapaan ng Katutubong Kababaihang Pilipino [Rights, Independence and Peace for IP women], sets the tone…

Human Rights Online Philippines

August 10, 2011

3–4 minutes

Benigno Aquino III, Bernardo Vergara, House of Representatives, Human Right, Indigenous People, Loren Legarda, Luzviminda Ilagan, United States House of Representatives

The 17th World IP Day celebration, with the theme Karapatan, Kasarinlan at Kapayapaan ng Katutubong Kababaihang Pilipino [Rights, Independence and Peace for IP women], sets the tone for the three-month campaign on IP rights and empowerment.

“Today we celebrate the World IP Day and we put at the forefront of IP struggle our indigenous women. We are here to recognize their contributions to society as strong-willed, diligent and enduring guardians of the environment, bearers of cultural integrity and heritage, and movers of history,” Congressman Teddy Brawner Baguilat said.

Fourteen years after the enactment of the Indigenous People Rights Act, Baguilat still point out the struggle for respect of indigenous right to self-empowerment and self- determination.

Baguilat further emphasized the goal to address the “lack of social services, dispossession from IP lands and resources in the name of development, disrespect to right to self determination and to lands, territories and resources with the manipulation of the Free Prior and Informed Consent.”

The Consultative Group on Indigenous Peoples (CGIP) also supports the campaign; CGIP is a group of IP federations and support groups.

Meanwhile, together with Reps. Baguilat were a number of House Representatives who gave their speeches on the different issues faced by IPs today, including Reps. Arlene ‘Kaka’ Bag-ao, Teddy Casiño, Leopoldo Bataoil, Luzviminda Ilagan, Maximo Dalog, Nancy Catamco, and Bernardo Vergara.

Rep. Bag-ao discussed the mining situation in the Philippines and its impacts to indigenous communities in general.

“The expansion of the mining industry has led to increased displacement of indigenous communities and soaring human rights violations, including manipulation of their right to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Resistance from indigenous peoples against mining and other destructive projects were countered with militarization, harassment and threats”, Bag-ao said.

Bag-ao is a co-sponsor of House Bill No. 3763 a.k.a Minerals Management Bill currently filed at the House of Representatives and for Senate filing in September this year.

Bag-ao further added in her speech, calling for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, to act on issues affecting indigenous peoples rights, specifically “upholding the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act and recognizing the flaws on the current policies on mining including the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Executive Order No. 270-A that revitalizes and promotes mining as a priority industry in the country.”

NCIP Chair Zenaida Hamada-Pawid, Commission on Human Rights Chair Loreta Ann Rosales, United Nations Resident Coordinator Jacqui Badcock, Phil UNDRIP Network Head Vicky Tauli Corpuz, Senator Loren Legarda and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., also graced the event.

A photo exhibit featuring the situation of indigenous communities and women was also inaugurated yesterday.

The three-month IP Rights and Empowerment Campaign aims to raise public awareness and interest on the plight of IPs especially of IP women; Review and advocate State priorities, policies and mechanisms to ensure that the rights of IPs are respected, protected and fulfilled; and Renew multi stakeholder partnerships for the rights and empowerment of IPs.

Press Release
August 10, 2011