AUGUST 9, 2011

NR # 2490C

Speaker Belmonte leads observance of the International Indigenous Peoples Day

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. led the observance of the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples (IDWIP) today at the House of Representatives and the signing of the manifesto of support for solidarity campaign on indigenous peoples rights and empowerment. In 1997, the Philippine Congress passed the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), which addresses many concerns of indigenous communities, predated the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP adopted in 2007 but both, recognize extreme challenges faced by IP across social and economic indicators, and both attempt to create legal parity between mainstream society and indigenous peoples, Belmonte said. We shall press further in our effort to provide better services to our indigenous peoples, conscious effort will be given in channeling government resources to provide for infrastructure, such as farm to market roads and potable water facilities to IPs and prioritize the bill seeking to provide a nationwide scholarship program for indigenous peoples, Belmonte said. Belmonte in emphasizing the need for collaborative work said, We are but one mosaic sharing one land and moving towards a common future. United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr. Jacquline Badcock affirmed the UN shared commitment for justice and equity for Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines and mentioned the seven year UN action in the Philippines starting 2012 which is anchored on human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability and culture and development. We share the same goal of providing an enabling environment to promote IP rights and let them participate in the decision making process, Badcock said. Ms. Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, Executive Director of the Phil UNDRIP Network who enumerated the highlights of the one year efforts made to assess the IP situation and how IP laws are implemented, said that the celebration is a historic one for it is the first time that International Day of Indigenous Peoples is celebrated inside the halls of the House of Representatives. The opening ceremony for the celebration of the International Indigenous Peoples Day was also attended by House Committee on National Cultural Communities Chairperson Rep. Teddy Baguilat Vergara who led the launching of the 3-month solidarity campaign on Indigenous Peoples, Reps. Bernardo Vergara (Lone District, Baguio City), Maximo Dalog (Lone District, Mountain Province), Neri Colmenares (PL-BAYAN MUNA) and Nancy Catamco (2nd District, North Cotabato). Speaker Belmonte also led the signing of the manifesto of support for the solidarity multistakeholder campaign which brought together civil society, the Church, academe, private sector, international bodies and government in solidarity with the indigenous peoples especially women. The 3-month campaign dubbed as K-Pinoy is also in consonance with the observance of the celebration of International Day for Worlds Indigenous Peoples (August 9), ratification of the UNDRIP (September 13), and passage of IPRA commemorated through IP week (October 29 to November 4). The event was followed by a dialogue with legislators and ribbon cutting ceremonies for the photo exhibit. (30) aam