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Thematic Objective No. 1 To uphold and protect the rights of the IPs to their ancestral domains, lands, and
resources, recognizing customary laws on property ownership and relations
Under this thematic Objective the NCIP aims to develop and implement affirmative policies for the recognition
and protection of the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) concept of Native title,
FPIC, customary laws or property ownership after the conduct of FPIC processes within 2014-2015, to include
documentation of 6 IP Communities (2 each year from 2012-2014).
In this regard the NCIP, to address previous experiences and gaps in FPIC policy implementation, strengthened
and streamlined the FPIC 2006 policy under the NCIP Administrative Order No. 3, series of 2012. This Revised
Guidelines on FPIC established the following:
a. Enhanced protective mechanisms provided for excluded areas or no-go zones from any activity, meaning
such areas shall only be used for exclusive purposes for which they were identified, viz sacred grounds and
burial sites of indigenous communities; identified international and local cultural and heritage sites; critical
areas identified or reserved by the ICCs/IPs for special purposes; and other areas specifically identified by
ICCs/IPs in their ADSDPP Further, posting of bond is now required from proponents to answer for
damages, violation of terms and conditions which the ICCs/IPs may suffer and claim from on account of
the said activity as may be agreed by the parties in the MOA and under other applicable laws.
b. Enumerated mandatory or minimum provisions of the MOA such as on the detailed use of funds and in
accordance with guidelines on the use of Royalty Share and other benefits and the necessity for another
FPIC after the exploration stage in mining.
c. Emphasized exercise of priority right by the ICC/IPs.
d. The management of royalty has been provided where the royalties must be used for programs and projects
that will redound to the well-being and benefit of the ICCs/IPs entitled to it. Not less than 30% of each
release must be allocated for livelihood and social development. The royalty as provided must never be
used as payment for damages caused by the proponent/company’s activities to the person and properties of
an individual member, as this is a distinct obligation of the company and not part of royalties.
In addition to this policy strategy to recognize and respect the ICCs/IPs rights to FPIC the NCIP, as a permanent
member of the Mining Industry Coordinating Committee (MICC) and its created Technical Working Group
(TWG), championed for the express recognition of the ICCs/IPs right to FPIC on large scale mining operations
under Executive Order No. 79. This EO provided for the administration’s policy direction on mining industry.
The NCIP institutionalized inter-agency affirmative collaboration for delineation titling and registration by
signing Joint DAR-DENR-LRA-NCIP Administrative Order No. 01-12 which was issued in January 25, 2012
to Clarify, Restate and Interface the Respective Jurisdictions, Policies, Programs and Projects of the Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Registration
Authority (LRA) and NCIP in order to address jurisdictional and operational issues between and among these
agencies. The order focuses on identifying contentious areas tackling both tenurial and resource use instruments
where a mechanism of conflict resolution is provided for in the establishment of a Joint National Committee
which shall issue a Rules of Procedure for this purpose.
To simplify submission of proofs required for Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains and Lands
enumerated under the IPRA, the NCIP promulgated Administrative Order No.4 Series of 2012 or the Revised
Omnibus Rules on Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains and Lands of 2012. Whereby, as of
September 2015, the NCIP approved 187 CADTs of which there are 43 CADTs registered to the Register of
Deeds, 3 CADTs are transmitted for registration and 141 CADTs are on process. With this data, from 2012-
2015 there were 31 CADTs approved for a total of 473,697.90 hectares awarded to 117,056 IP Rights Holders..
The NCIP conducted research to establish National database on IP customary laws and formulated a policy on
traditional ownership, with these activities the NCIP issued the Administrative Order No. 1, S. 2012 or the
Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and Customary Laws (CLs) Research and
Documentation Guidelines of 2012 as well as the NCIP Administrative Order No. 2 Series of 2012 – guidelines
on the confirmation of indigenous political structures and the registration of indigenous peoples organizations with these guidelines the NCIP had recognized two IPS the YAKAN of region 9 and the GADDANG of region
2. While it recognized a total of ______ IPOs.
By setting-up inter-agency and consultation groups with ICCs/IPs through traditional leaders and pursuant to
Administrative Order No. 001, S. 2009 - National Guidelines for the Mandatory Representation of Indigenous
Peoples in Local Legislative Councils, the NCIP had issued Certificate of Affirmation to a number of 2,157
seated Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representations nationwide, as follows: 1) Provincial – 15; 2) City - 23;
3) Municipal - 222; and 4) Barangay – 1,897 and a number of 1,685 not seated IPMRs as follows: 1)
Provincial – 10; 2) City - 20; 3) Municipal - 180; 4) Barangay - 1475
Finally, the Dissemination of agency position were achieved through participation during deliberations on
specific bills pending before the Senate and House of Representatives concerning ICCs/IPs, their ADs and
resources within.
Thematic objective no. 2. To enhance access of IPs to the various pillars of the justice system, and state
recognition in the exercise of customary laws and practices or various traditional justice system; and protect
their rights to social justice and human rights
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to (a) develop a national policy guideline on interfacing of IPs
justice system and national justice system; and (b) policy review on access of IPs to formal justice, to include
the following: for paragraph (a) – 5 pilot ethnographic regions from 2014 to 2015; and for paragraph (b) 6 pilot
regional/provincial courts 2 each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from 2014 to 2015.
By establishing Inter-agency committee for coordination and consultation workshop with ICCs/IPs and
partners, the NCIP in order to enforce its quasi-judicial functions spelled out in the IPRA, established and
consolidated its Regional Hearing Officers (RHOs) to set up four (4) clustered courts through Commission-en-
banc resolution 047-20-12 and Memorandum Circular No. 007, Series of 2012. These ethnographic regions
include 1) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region I 2) Central Mindanao 3) Southern and Eastern
Mindanao 4) Northern and Western Mindanao 5) Region II 6) Region III and the rest of Luzon and 7) The
Island Groups. In 2012, the clustered courts handled a total of 99 cases wherein 17 cases were decided upon,
currently handling sixty two (62) pending cases and twenty (20) cases for resolution.
For its contribution, the NCIP, in 2010 to 2012 has extended adjudication and legal services to indigenous
peoples from the central to field offices. These services range from 1) advising and assisting 16,255 walk-in IP
applicants 2) acceptance, handling and defense of 1,541 cases 3) submission of 657 position papers. In 2010,
there were 407 investigations conducted, 32 congressional hearings participated and 586 legal opinions and
advisories rendered.
To strengthen this strategy the NCIP formulated guidelines to this effect whereby on October 2014 the CEB
issued the 2014 Revised Rules of Procedure (Administrative Circular No. 1 s. 2014) which sets the procedures
to be followed in the hearing and disposition of cases filed before the NCIP in the exercise of the quasi-judicial
functions. The orientation of all NCIP lawyers on the 2014 Revised Rules of Procedures was held on December
2014.
In connection with the policy review on access of IPs to formal justice the NCIP, in cooperation with EU thru
the EPJUST II Program, conducted a round table discussion with the Supreme Court in its attempt to engage the
High Court in reviving the program on delineating the jurisdiction of the regular courts vis-a’-viz the NCIP,
however, both agencies have not come to an agreement, as of yet, on the guidelines to make such engagement
possible/successful.
To provide readily documented data and assist the agency on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices
(IKSPs) and Customary Laws (CLs) of the 110 IP communities nationwide upon which the delineation of the
jurisdictional courts vis-aviz the NCIP shall base upon, Legal Affairs Office (LAO) in partnership with the Office of Education Culture and Health (OECH), conceptualized and crafted the Policy on IKSP and CLs
Research and Documentation within the framework of IP empowerment, self-determination and is
contextualized for the IPs benefit. It ensures the recognition, preservation, protection of the IKSPs that includes
CLs that will eventually also serve to guide IPs rights advocates. With all these initiatives, the NCIP through the
CEB issued the NCIP Administrative Order No. 1 s. 2015 or the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices
(IKSPs) and Customary Laws (CLs) research and Documentation Guidelines of 2012.
To realize such objectives, in partnership with the UNDP, the LAO undertook documentation of Customary
Laws in four (4) project sites, namely, Palawan, bukidnon, Benguet and Compostela Valley; and an expansion
of one (1) of the areas is being undertaken this year using government budget by Region IV. And in
coordination with the DILG the NCIP participated as focal agency on the training of trainers on creating a
gender-responsive, child friendly and IP-relevant Katarungang pambarangay as well as on National
Trainers’Training on Barangay Tanod Skills Enhancement Project.
Thematic Objective No. 3. To respect, protect and fulfil the civil and political rights of the IPs, provide
responsive and culturally appropriate mechanism in addressing violations thereto and affording maximum
protection to defenders of IPs rights
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to (a) establish effective legal safeguards and measures that
address violations of IP rights and protect the rights of defenders of IP rights; and (b) increase level of
awareness and application of national and international IP and human rights protection standards by the
government, IPs and the general public at the national and local levels. To include the following: a) 2012 –
Development and implementation of joint circular between NCIP, AFP, PNP and other law enforcement
agencies for protection of IPs and IP rights defenders during the period 2010-2012; b) 2013 – Development of
special judicial measures in coordination with DOJ, Supreme Court; and c) 2012-2015 – Information Education
and capacity building on IPRA, CERD and other national and international human rights treaties for 250
participants composed of lawyers/judges or law enforcers, police/military, IP women and the general public
with 50 participants for each session from the period 2012-2015.
Through an inter-agency consultation with AFP, PNP and other concerned agencies/CSO for circular and by
setting-up special measures/mechanisms for the protection of IP and IP rights defenders in critical or difficult
circumstances. The NCIP institutionalized the Quick Response Mechanism (QRM) in 2013 to address the
IPRVs in the context of armed conflict, development aggression and insurgency.
The QRM aims to establish quick response units and teams (QRUs/QRTs) at the national, regional, provincial,
community service centres and mobilize IPs in ancestral domains as partners for the QRU including field
government agencies such as the CHR, PNP, AFP, PAO, OPAPP, DSWD and DILG to name a few.
The QR teams are composed of the NCIP QR units, government agencies and selected indigenous leaders and
women from ancestral domains areas of armed conflict – who shall also compose the Pool of IP human rights
advocate.
This mechanism was initiated to look into IP issues during conflict in terms of accessing services, interventions
in evacuation centers, recruitment of IPs in armed groups among others depending on an in depth analysis of
communities prior, during and after conflict.
Since the initial activities towards the institutionalization of the QRM in 2013, 5 QR seminar workshops were
conducted wherein 1 national workshop, 1 Mindanao cluster re-echo and 3 seminar/workshops on Gender,
Peace and Security for IP women peace builders back to back with QRM were conducted. At least more or less
300 participants benefitted where at least half are IP women. Aligned with this, the NCIP has also forged a
memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) towards the
operationalization of indigenous peoples desks at all levels of the AFP.
To elaborate on the preceding paragraph, such were achieved through the conduct of information education and
training workshop for lawyers and other law enforcement agencies. Initially orientations on the rights of IPs
(IPRA 101) and the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP 101) were conducted in two clusters, one at the
national level and the other was the re-echo at Mindanao. During these activities, there were at least two
hundred (200) participants who attended. The former involved at least 70 indigenous peoples/leaders, national
government agencies and CSOs/NGOs. The latter involved participants from the five (5) regions in Mindandao,
namely Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 that included representatives from field offices of government agencies
such as the local government, indigenous leaders and women from armed conflict areas, NCIP personnel,
assigned indigenous peoples desks from the AFP and representatives from other government agencies like the
Philippine National Police (PNP); Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP);
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
(CHRP). The operationalization and regular interaction between and among QRUs and QRTs are continuing.
Aside from the institutionalization of the QRM a Policy guidelines relevant to Extra-Judicial Killings (EJKs)
through an inter-agency committee (IAC) was created under the Administrative Order 35 in November,
2013.This IAC will look into the investigation of human rights abuses both by state and non-state forces and to
ensure a focused probe and speedy resolution of all unsolved cases. It assigned the Department of Justice (DOJ)
as the chair. It includes the representation of government agencies including the NCIP to the body and aims to
investigate cases of EJKs submitted to it.
Thematic Objective No. 4. To respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right to self-determination and self-
determined development of indigenous peoples, recognizing indigenous knowledge and socio-political systems
upholding the right to free and prior informed consent
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to (a) Document baselines group; (b) Policy recommendations on
culturally appropriate ADSDPP and FPIC guideline covering seven (7) selected IPs/ICCs with CADTs and
ADSDPPs to be conducted; (c) Documentation of IKSP covering seven selected pilot IPs/ICCs with CADTs
and ADSDPPs; and (d) Recognition and implementation of policy on indigenous political structures (IPS) and
IPs Organizations (IPOs) in five selected pilot IPs/ICCs with CADTs (2012-2014)
The identified community working groups for the ADSDPP formulation with the assistance of the NCIP will
conduct a participatory baseline survey, focusing on the existing population, natural resources, development
projects, land use, sources of livelihood, income and employment, education and other concerns within 2016.
The survey includes the documentation of the ICCs/IPs culture or IKSPs and historical accounts or inventory of
documents relative to the sustainable development and protection of the ancestral domain. The baseline includes
the appraisal of the quality and quantity of existing natural resources in the ancestral domain. The working
group shall also assess the data/information, identify and prioritize problems/issues and concerns, determine
needs and gaps, and try to understand the underlying causes and how particular problems affect particular
sectors of the community. The output shall be presented to the community for validation of its accuracy and
reliability before proceeding to the succeeding steps of the ADSDPP formulation process. Timelines as to the
processing of the domain/land titles are likewise provided21 however, the processing of titles shall be at the
pace of the ICC/IP community.
After assessment/inventory and review of FPIC conducted and as reported under Thematic Objective number 1,
the FPIC 2006 guidelines was strengthened/enhanced under NCIP Administrative Order No. 3, series of 2012
and had its Section 12 revisited under NCIP Administrative Order No. 1 s. 2015. To date the number of FPIC
approved application nationwide is _____________ .
The NCIP is bent to enhance, amend, or revise the Administrative Order No. 1 s. 2004 - Guidelines on the
Formulation of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) as indicated
under the remarks of thematic objective no. 7. With the Existing guidelines for ADSDPP formulation, the NCIP
assisted ___________ ADSDPP formulation. While the number of revised ADSDPPs is __________ and the
number of newly formulated ADSDPP is ____________.
Under the recognition and implementation of policy on indigenous political structures (IPS) and IPs
Organizations (IPOs) in five selected pilot IPs/ICCs with CADTs, as reported under thematic Objective Number
1, with the NCIP Administrative Order No. 2 Series of 2012 – guidelines on the confirmation of indigenous
political structures and the registration of indigenous peoples organizations, the NCIP had confirmed 2 IPS –
the YAKAN of region 9 and the GADDANG of region 2, while it recognized a total of ______ IPOs as of
December 2014.
Thematic Objective No. 5. To provide culturally appropriate basic social services and employment to IPs and
employing special measures to fulfil this
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to Integrate ADSDPP into local Development Plans. 2012-2013 –
development and issuance of guidelines on IP community planning for culturally appropriate delivery of
services; 2012-2015 – dissemination of IP guideline to all stakeholders at the national and field levels; one
national and with IPs/ICCs in 13 regional cluster groups; 2014 onwards – Implementation, evaluation and
review of certificates of confirmation (COC) covering years 2008-2009 with PNP, NAPOLCOM, AFP, BJMP,
DOH, DOLE, and five selected pilot LGUs.
Through the conduct of consultation workshop and establishment of committees with partner agencies and IP
leaders on community planning and census, the NCIP enhanced its coordination for IPs/ICCs to have better
access to basic government services by entering into at least 13 Memorandum of Agreements with government
agencies. Among them are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Department of Education (DepEd),
Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Among these are the
following:
1. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has made conscious efforts to include
IPs/ICCs in their programs such as the National Community Driven Development Plan (NCDDP). It has
conducted an orientation on the NCDDP to NCIP core personnel for better understanding and towards a
culture or IP sensitive government poverty reduction program. NCIP-DSWD MOA in connection with the
implementation of the NCDDP.
2. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 04 s. 2013, where the NCIP is one of the signatories. This Joint
Memorandum is to amend the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3 s. 2011 on the institutional arrangement
for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
3. SAMA-BADJAOs, Women and Children, Elderly to be forwarded from OSESSC.
4. The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representation (IPMR) Guidelines was issued by the Commission. The
IPMR shall be the IP resource persons to bring the IP community plans to Local Legislative Councils as
well as to all the local special bodies. In recognition, the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-119 the
“Mandatory Representation of ICC or IP in Policy-Making Bodies and other legislative councils” was
implemented by the DILG. This Memorandum Circular was reiterated under DILG Memorandum by the
Secretary dated 07 September 2015. As of December 2014 there are a number of 2,157 seated IPMRs
nationwide, as follows: 1) Provincial – 15; 2) City - 23; 3) Municipal - 222; and 4) Barangay – 1,897.
While there are 1,685 not seated IPMRs as follows: 1) Provincial – 10; 2) City - 20; 3) Municipal -
180; 4) Barangay - 1475
5. An IP Health Technical Team composed of representatives from the DOH, NCIP and the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) has worked out for the development and operationalization of
DOH-NCIP-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2013-01 and its corresponding Strategic Plan.
Specifically, the JMC intends to provide directions for: a) making basic health services available and
culture-sensitive, b) providing equitable distribution of needed health resources, c) ensuring non-
discrimination of ICCs/IPs in the delivery of health services, d) managing geographical, financial and
socio–cultural barriers so that IPs can access basic health services, and e) strengthening recognition,
promotion, and respect of safe and beneficial traditional health practices. To coordinate the performance of
the individual partner agency’s functions and efficient implementation of activities, an inter-agency
committee shall be organized at different levels i.e. national, regional and provincial.
Currently, a move to review the Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) was initiated. During the top-level discussions with key officials of the
PhilHealth, the following agreements were made:
a) Indigenous Peoples may already have coverage under Indigent Program or under other membership
category (ex. Employed/Sponsored);
b) Those without coverage who are considered to be poor shall be referred to the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) for possible inclusion in the National Household Targeting System
(NHTS) so that the stringent requirements can be waived; and
c) Request for the inclusion in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as a Special Program of the
Government like the PAMANA and Bangsamoro.
Basic health services in far-flung Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) are seldom or never availed of.
This is due to the fact that most IPs are not aware of the services being offered by the government.
Likewise, the distance of their homes to the nearest health facility entails a number of hours or days,
travelled either by foot or by traditional means of transportation. Considering the meager funds of NCIP,
especially that which is devoted to social services, it has to step up coordination and networking. The
agency’s intervention and coordinative mandate on health services revolve on the implementation of the
conduct of cultural sensitivity orientation/training on health services, medical and dental missions (mobile
clinic), support to IP hospitalization, documentation of indigenous health knowledge and practices,
establishment of medicinal plant garden and medicinal forests used among IPs, support to the formulation
of ancestral domains investment plan for health, training of IP Community Health Workers, and others.
To ensure that IP concerns are highlighted in priorities for health interventions, NCIP has maintained its
membership with the Board of the Philippine Country Coordinating Mechanism (PCCM). Under the Global
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the agency has remained an active partner in the
control of malaria and tuberculosis, especially in IP areas where the incidence of Key Affected Population
(KAP) is high. GFATM aims to make a sustainable contribution to the country’s development by
mitigating the impact caused by the 3 diseases although there has been no official report on IPs afflicted
with AIDS. Believing that this is in support to the attainment of MDG 6, NCIP committed to be engaged on
a primary basis. Likewise, NCIP also sits in the Board of the Coalition in the Elimination of Lymphatic
Filariasis (CELF).
6. The NCIP has forged a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) towards the operationalization of indigenous peoples desks at all levels of the AFP, discussed under
thematic objective no. 6
Thematic Objective No. 6. To recognize, protect and promote the cultural rights of IPs, combating prejudice
and discrimination against them, and fostering solidarity among them and all other sectors of society.
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to achieve the following: a) 2012-2015 – advocacy Program for IP
rights; b) 2012-2015 – development of framework on IP education by 5 IP groups; c) 2012-2015 – development
of an IPs Human Rights Education Program; d) 2012-2015 – advocacy for the integration of CERD and IPs
rights in relevant education and trainings and programs of the AFP, PNP, and other departments and NCLE; e)
2012-2015 – institutional review; and f) 2012-2015 – annual monitoring of CERD implementation and
reporting.
I. The NCIP implements the IP rights advocacy and Monitoring Treaty Obligations Programme through the
Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR) with the following accomplishments:
1. IP rights advocacy and Institutionalization of Quick Response Mechanism (QRM) for IP rights
violations. Under this activity, for 2014, the NCIP has conducted at least 20 facilitating-field and
central activities composed of six (6) seminar workshops/training on Quick Response Mechanism
(QRM) provided also with technical and fund support with five (5) at the field levels and one (1) QR
re-orientation planning and budgeting workshop at the national level; 3 technical assistance to regions
extended; IP relief and financial assistance facilitated; 3 consultations on Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL) facilitated and conducted; 7 field missions/ validation and consultations on IP rights issues (i.e
FPIC, peace and security) conducted; monitoring human rights and treaty obligations; support to
human rights, peace, women and IP rights celebrations and inventory tracking and database of IPRVs.
2. On the strategy on IP consultations and seminar workshops/trainings, firstly, were five (5) seminar
workshops facilitated with more or less 200 participant -beneficiaries and five (5) NCIP regions
benefitted these were mostly funded through the Central Office-QR PAMANA Programme. These
activities include four (4) seminar workshops on quick response for IP rights violations (IPRVs)
conducted wherein 4 were in the field (Regions 3, 12, CAR) and one (1) at the central. There were at
least 150 indigenous peoples and NCIP personnel combined as beneficiaries of the field workshops
while at least 50 NCIP personnel benefitted from the re-orientation and planning budgeting workshop.
The latter was purposely to re-orient participants new on the issue or who may be are newly assigned
as quick response focal persons and follow through administrative requirements from field participants
for facilitation of fund sub-allotment and release. The former activities were conducted at the Regions
III, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region 12 to identify field QR point persons,
establish inter-agency QR networks and together with IP participants, to plan the field plan for QR
next steps.
3. To further have these activities implemented and support the successful implementation of the
consultations and training/seminars, the NCIP facilitated formulation of three (3) project proposals for
Regions 9, 11 and 12 approved and released for implementation. As of this writing, Regions 1, 3,
CAR, 9 and 12 has conducted and implemented their respective regional-based phase of the QRM
programme while Region 11 after activity report has yet to be verified.
4. Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) IP consultations were also conducted. The concern on the draft BBL is
urgent. The Tedurays, Lambangians and Dulangan Manobos are indigenous communities within the
core area of the Bangsamoro are affected. The NCIP facilitated the support to three (3) IP community
consultations in coordination with the Committee on Indigenous Peoples of the House of
Representatives conducted in Upi, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Davao City. An average total of
about 1,500 IPs participated during these 3 consultations where 500 IPs participated in each of the
consultations. The NCIP, through the Legal Affairs Office, has forwarded its position paper on the
draft BBL to the House of Representatives, to other NGAs and CSOs/NGOs.
5. Field validation missions and verification of human rights related issues. The NCIP has been involved
in field validation of human rights and man-made and natural disaster-caused-conflict reports and
issues. So far, ten (10) field validation activities, to include those on BBL and the case of Datu
Tagulambong as discussed above, were conducted on issues related to 1) SMI operations concerning
FPIC that concerns various agencies, involvement of various TRICOM groups, reports of human rights
violations from CHR and recent clash of armed groups 2) killing of IP leaders 3) Badjao of Leyte who
are victims of Typhoon Haiyan and 4) peace and security/insurgency/armed conflict issues
a) On SMI issues. Several IP issues surround the operation of SMI. There were four (4) validation
activities conducted revolved around a) alleged human rights violations as reported by the CHR b)
the concern of the Swiss Embassy on following protocols by the SMI c) the visit/operation of the
Church-based organization at Tampakan without clearance from communities which caused the
ambush of armed groups in the said area - the security issue involves the ICC in the area. 4) the
various reports of violations by farmer, women and IP organizations on SMI mining operation.
While several factors have to be considered in the case of SMI which operates within 3 provinces
of two regions which are areas of responsibility of the NCIP, it is a known fact that IPs affected by
SMI operations are B’laans who have their common histories, related by blood (kins; relatives) but
possess different degrees of being ‘mainstreamed’ in society and who know each other.
b) Tribal Coalition in Mindanao (TRICOM). The issues surrounding the operation of TRICOM have
affected the representation, benefit sharing and royalties of IPs/ICCs. Other issues involve the
registration of TRICOM in the SEC which stands as an IPO but with other IPs/ICCs not
benefitting from this. Thus validation activities were expected that to date, field reports have yet to
be submitted to the OEHR, Central Office.
c) Badjaos at Leyte. On the issue on housing the 77 households of Badjaos at Leyte affected by
typhoon Haiyan, the OEHR conducted its field investigation as reported that the Badjaos are
allegedly barred to live/reside at that part of Leyte. In coordination with the NCIP regional
authorized personnel, concerned local government officials, it has been agreed that in the
development of the Municipality of Isabel, Leyte Local Government Plan, the concerns of the
Badjaos will be considered.
d) Insurgency in Camandag, Asipulo. Through the invite of the LGU of Asipulo, Ifugao an ancestral
domains of Tuwali, Kankanaey and Ayangan indigenous communities with CADT CAR-ASI-
0308-063, the OEHR shared about the rights of IPs in armed conflict and the IPRA. The activity
was in light of the armed conflict/insurgency problem that took place on 14 October 2014 at
Barangay Camandag, Asipulo in a clash between state and non-state armed groups. During that
incident, the LGU reported that about 750 IPs of which 350 IPs ages 0-18 years and 400 IPs above
18 years old were affected during the conflict. Initially however, no reports on civilians affected
have been received prior to the field visit. Even police reports only mentioned of the number of
killed from both clashing armed groups. The OEHR has recommended supporting initiatives
raised by the communities during the IEC and an after activity report on this was submitted to the
Commission and the Office of the OEHR Director (OOD). To date, administrative requirements
have been initially drafted and submitted (November 2014) to the OOD and still awaiting its
action.
6. Addressing IP issues for 2014 had the OEHR participate in inter-agency activities that enhanced NCIP
networks with at least ten (10) government and non-government organizations towards addressing IP
issues. These organizations/agencies include the DILG, COMELEC, NAPOLCOM, CHR, PNP,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the House of Representatives. Listed below are some of the
inter-agency activites, ad follows:
a. The National Monitoring Mechanism with CHR as lead agency
b. Omnibus Rules on the Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippine Commission on the
Visiting Forces as lead agency
c. OPAPP pamana budget grant for the Institutionalization of the QR Mechanism
d. NCIP as one of the champions in the STEP coalition for registration of IPs in hard to reach
areas and enrolling them for biometrics with the DILG and the COMELEC. Legal Network
for Truthful Elections (LENTE) as the secretariat
7. In the course of its coordination with these agencies, the NCIP was able to provide and develop
position paper, proposed house bills, coordinate human rights violation issues, participate in
discussions to promote IP rights to suffrage and discuss programs for conflict affected areas or the
PAMANA through the DILG.
8. Support of the NCIP to the IPs/ICCs has also been manifested. The NCIP was able to issue
Commission-en-banc resolutions to condemn killings of IP leaders whose advocacy against large
mining projects had their lives threatened. The ambush of Datu Tagulambong and the creation of Task
Force Orasan through CEB Resolution No. 06-082-2014 dated 24 September 2014 for the killing of
Datu Orasan were just a few of these.
9. Support to Human Rights Week & IPRA Hour Celebration. The OEHR supported these celebrations as
part of the agency’s IP rights advocacy program that IP rights are human rights. On the one hand, the
IPRA enactment is celebrated on the month it was enacted March. Last year, the OEHR spearheaded
the activities. Simultaneous activities from the central to the field offices with the theme, ‘IPRA: A
glimmer of hope’. On the other hand, the OEHR lead the celebration of the human rights week at the
Quezon City Circle. Around 20 personnel participant beneficiaries joined in the activity. It has been
held with the participation of the AFP, PNP, CHR, NCIP and other agencies. The CHR sponsored the
occasion.
10. Inventory tracking and database on IPRVs. At the Central Office, the inventory tracking and database
of IPRVs is important. While the OEHR maintains its 2012 data list of complaints on IPRVs totalling
231 cases of complaints, it had prepared its initial list of 2014 IPRV complaints totalling 287 of which
16 are building up from the 2012 and 2013 list while 40 are new complaints recorded. Of these new
complaints 28 Civil and Political Rights violations from regions IV (3), X (4), XI (1), XII (12) and
XIII (8); 16 violations of IP rights on Ancestral Domains from regions II (1), IV (2), IX (2), X (2), XI
(5) and XII (4); 1 violation of IP rights due to Militarization and Private Armed Groups; 3 violations of
IP Rights on Benefit Sharing from CAR (1) and region XIII (2); 3 violations of IP rights on FPIC from
regions II (1), Region X (1) and CAR (1); 2 violations of IP rights on IPRM from regions IX (1) and
XII (1); and 5 complaints against NCIP staff and other government agencies from regions IV (2), X (1)
and XII (2) with region12 having the highest number of IPRV complaints and region 2 and CAR
having the lowest. Continuous inventory and database is being conducted every year.
11. Monitoring human rights and treaty Obligations. On international issues affecting IPs, the OEHR was
involved in at least six (6) activities with 80 individual-beneficiaries and 10 non-government and
government beneficiaries. These activities included consultations, developing and submitting agency
inputs on treaties and conventions and participation in conferences/workshops on international issues.
Among these, it facilitated two (2) government agency and CSO consultations to present draft
responses to the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the CERD (UNCERD)
of which 80 participant-beneficiaries attended. As a result, three (3) agency input reports were
submitted that includes the draft Philippine 22nd Session ICERD Report in compliance to its
obligation as state party to the ICERD with the NCIP as lead agency to its compliance reporting,
provided also agency inputs to Convention 111 or the Convention concerning Discrimination in
Respect of Employment and Occupation furnished the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
and to the United States Embassy on updates for its 2014 human rights report. Further, the OEHR
participated in three (3) conference workshops on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(UNFAO), the US Joint POW/MIA Agency Committee (JPAC) and on UN Special Rapporteur on
IDPs.
II. The NCIP through the Office of Education Culture and Health accomplished the following through the
Education Assistance Program for IPs:
1. The NCIP asserts that culturally appropriate and responsive education enables the Indigenous Peoples
to stand up, be counted and protect their rights as well as improve their multi-dimensional well-being
in terms of social, cultural, economic and political situation. As such, education is indispensably
considered by NCIP as an essential tool for “enabling” through recognition and empowerment, for
“ensuring” by way of protection, and for “enhancing” as in promotion and development, of Indigenous
Peoples’ rights and welfare, their ancestral domains, the assertion for self-governance and their cultural
integrity. Relative to this, an Educational Assistance Program (EAP) is implemented as one of the big
and most sought-after programs of the agency. Currently serving 7,802 grantees from 124 IP-inhabited
Congressional Districts nationwide, the NCIP-EAP is a human capital investment that basically aims to
improve the over-all quality of life, efficiency and enlightened empowerment of ICCs/IPs thru
increased access to educational opportunities. In school year 2014-2015, there were 5,802 (74%)
College grantees, 1,216 (16%) High School grantees and 784 (10%) Elementary grantees who
qualified and availed of the program as per NCIP Administrative Order No. 5, series of 2012 Under the
relatively new approved implementing guidelines, stipends of IP grantees were increased by about 100
percent. As of the end of school year 2013-2014, there are 26,948 graduates assisted since the program
was implemented under NCIP in 1999, and thus, a total of 34,750 beneficiaries from school year 1999-
2000 to school year 2014-2015.
2. An innovation under the afore-stated implementing guidelines is the inclusion of a full-packaged
scholarship program called Merit-Based Scholarship (MBS) with more rigid selection process and
stringent policies but much higher financial support. Implementation started in SY 2012-2013 with 92
well-selected freshmen scholars who have been maintained until the present. Both the EAP and MBS
cater to the overall development objective of investing in human capital through the grant of
scholarships to deserving Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) who seek
the opportunity and qualify for educational advancement and/or skills development, thereby
empowering them to become self-reliant and capacitated to meaningfully contribute to the promotion
of their well-being and to nation- building.
3. In collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), a National Indigenous Peoples Education
Policy Framework and a National IP Core Curriculum for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) were
developed. As policies, these trailblazing outputs were issued by DepEd as DepEd Order No. 62, series
of 2011, and DepEd Order No. 101, series of 2010, respectively. The IP Education Policy Framework
was a concerted effort based on various IP education initiatives and experiences nationwide that were
shared by partner-stakeholders and translated into vision and goals, principles, components, and
priority activities. These will serve as springboards for the formulation of an Indigenous Peoples’
Education Roadmap subject to series of continuing validation activities with the ICCs/IPs. The
formulation of the said roadmap will be a quantum leap for the over-arching concern for all
community-based efforts to be mainstreamed in policies, plans and programs for formal basic and
higher education as well as non-formal and informal education of IPs. The policy also brought forth
the first-time creation of an IP Education Office (IPsEO) in DepEd, by virtue of DepEd Order No. 103,
series of 2011, to take charge of IP concerns.
4. A major achievement with the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) of the Department of
Education (DepEd) is the Development and Pilot-testing of the IP Core Curriculum and Instructional
Materials for Alternative Learning System (ALS). Making use of the culture-sensitive and generic
Core Curriculum for IPs on Alternative Learning System, learning materials and facilitators’ guides
were prepared by IPs themselves for the pilot areas of Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte involving Isnegs, and
Botolan, Zambales particularly, the Pinatubo Aetas. Similarly, a pilot area for the Agtas in Infanta,
Quezon was assisted through the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (ECIP) with the same
purpose of validating and improving the afore-stated curriculum as well as the learning materials.
Modules and the corresponding instructional materials, reference guides and facilitators’ manuals were
translated, also by the IPs, and these have gone through a series of focused group discussions, rigid
scrutiny and refinements both in the field and in the policy levels. Since the entire IP community is
considered as the entire school, the philosophy adhered to in the process was that clientele system must
be in synergistic partnership with the delivery system. The same principles applied to the pilot area of
Mariki, Zamboanga City where the Floating Schools concept for the Badjaos will be assisted in tandem
with the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU). Another Mindanao-based pilot area where the
IP Core Curriculum for ALS was uniquely piloted through integration in the existing IP curriculum
was that of the School of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions (SIKAT) of the T’bolis in Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato.
5. On the other hand, Higher Education for Indigenous Peoples is still a wide area to be explored by
continuous dialogue and sharing of experiences that could provide impetus for a core framework and
common roadmap. Through a Core Group composed of School Presidents and authorized
representatives of State and Private Universities and Colleges who attended the 1st and 2nd National
Conferences on Indigenous Peoples’ Higher Education in Davao City and co-sponsored by the
University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Minority Care International and the NCIP, a National
Steering Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Higher Education (NSC-IPHEd) was initially formed to
advocate for IP Higher Education in the Philippines. The proposed Network was jointly facilitated by
the Assisi Development Foundation, USEP and the NCIP. This initiative aims to establish partnership
with CHED, DepEd and TESDA in advancing quality, relevant and culture-based higher education for
IPs; to advocate and promote IP rights to education; to organize seminar-workshops in developing
mechanisms for the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) to instruction,
research, extension and production; to plan out future gatherings and conferences on IP Education; and
to establish linkage and support among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and various stakeholders.
Efforts to revive and strengthen the Network are underway.
6. So far, the visible initiatives on indigenized tertiary education in the Philippines, in which NCIP is a
major partner, especially to the Assisi Development Foundation, are those of the Pamulaan Center for
IP Education offering four IP-related degree courses on education, peace, anthropology and
agricultural technology based at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Mintal, Davao
City, and the ladderized Bachelor of Elementary Education degree with focus on IP Development
Studies offered by the College of Education at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North
Cotabato. Some HEIs that have engaged the NCIP in their worthy projects, like the Saint Mary’s
University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, and the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo City,
have establish institutes or centers focused on IPs that operate for research, education and community
outreach activities. Likewise, small initiatives on indigenizing learning or instructional materials and
teaching strategies were noted in tertiary institutions that are located in predominantly IP areas as in
the case of HEIs in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
7. In response to the distinct needs of IP communities in having an education in their own culture and
provided in their own language, the DepEd, in working coordination with the NCIP, has earlier issued
DepEd Order No. 42, series of 2004 (“Permit to Operate Primary Schools for Indigenous Peoples and
Cultural Communities”), DepEd Order No. 74, series of 2009 (“Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-
Based Multilingual Education”), DepEd Order No. 101, series of 2010 (“The Alternative Learning
System (ALS) Curriculum for Indigenous Peoples Education”), DepEd Order No. 62, series of 2011
(“National Policy Framework for Indigenous Peoples Education”), and DepEd Order No. 51, series of
2014 (“Guidelines in the Conduct of Activities and Use of Materials Involving Aspects of Indigenous
Peoples Culture”). IP Education stakeholders build on these existing policies and further strengthen the
policy environment that enable agencies and organizations, their offices and units, especially those in
the frontline of service-delivery, to effectively address realities on the ground. The guidelines
embodied in the foregoing policies seek to promote among learners, teachers, facilitators, program
planners, administrators and policy-makers cultural sensitivity, respect for cultural diversity, and a
deeper consciousness and understanding of the indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions of
ICCs/IPs. These policies serve as instruments for promoting shared accountability, continuous
dialogue, engagement and partnership among government, IP communities, civil society, and other
education stakeholders. Recognizing that a culturally appropriate and responsive education is
necessary to the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the policies provide impetus to
IP Education programs that are rights-based and subscribes to the principles of participation, inclusion
and empowerment.
Thematic Objective No. 7 To review and amend policies and programs on IP rights, enact laws that have direct
bearing on IPs, formulate/reformulate existence of conflicting development policies, programs and areas in
conflict with IP rights and interests with the mandatory and effective participation of IPs; develop a
comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation; and for the ratification of treaties which have direct bearing on
racial discrimination
Under this thematic objective the NCIP aims to achieve the following (a) 2015 onwards – implementation of
guidelines in selected seven IPs/ICCs; (b) 2013-2015 – assessment evaluation and review of certificates of
confirmation covering years 2008-2009 with PNP, NAPOLCOM, AFP, BJMP, DOH, DOLE, and five selected
pilot LGUs; (c) 2012-2015 – advocacy at national and local levels for the passage of an anti-discrimination bill;
(d) 2012-2015 – issuance and implementation of ordinances in 4 selected pilot areas in each IP area in Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao and ARMM; and (e) 2013-2015 – advocacy and mobilization for the ratification of ILO
169;
NCIP is mandated by the IPRA to formulate an Indigenous Peoples Masterplan every after five years. The
ADSDPPs formulated by ICCs/IPs and the result of NACs in areas where there are still no ADSDPPs form as
the basis of this masterplan. The 1st IP masterplan that was drafted covers the period of six (6) years instead of
five (5) years to to jibe with the term of office of the President of the Republic. Thus, the current IP Masterplan
covers the period FYs 2010 to 2015. It is only right time that this has to be updated by 2015 to cater for IP
policy and development direction setting for 2016 to 2021, in line also with the updating of the Philippine
Development Plan (PDP) by the next presidency.
Moreover, in consultation with the ICCs/IPs, NCIP exercised its quasi-legislative power and function by
coming out with the following Administrative Orders/Circulars, or implementing guidelines for more effective
and efficient implementation of its quasi-judicial and executive/administrative powers and functions:
1. AO No. 1 s. 2015 - The guidelines for the implementation of Section 12 of RA 8371 otherwise known as
the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997;
2. AO No. 1, S. 2014 - The 2014 Revised Rules of Procedure Before the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples;
3. AO No. 5, S. 2012 - NCIP Guidelines of 2012 on the Merit-Based scholarship (NCIP-MBS) and
Educational Assistance (NCIP-EA);
4. AO No. 4, S. 2012 - Revised Omnibus Rules on Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains and
Lands of 2012;
5. AO No. 3, S. 2012 - The Revised Guidelines on Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and Related
Processes of 2012;
6. AO No. 2, S. 2012 - The General Guidelines on the Confirmation of Indigenous Political Structures and
the Registration of Indigenous Peoples’ Organization;
7. AO No. 1, S. 2012 - The Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and Customary Laws
(CLs) Research and Documentation Guidelines of 2012.
The Commission is also bent to enhance, amend, or revise the following implementing guidelines in the months
to come, as appropriate, to ensure that the rights of ICCs/IPs and their responsibilities to their respective
ancestral domains are properly addressed.
1. AO No. 001, S. 2009 - National Guidelines for the Mandatory Representation of Indigenous Peoples in
Local Legislative Councils;
2. AO No. 1 S, 2004 - Guidelines on the Formulation of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and
Protection Plan (ADSDPP);
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has established its Legislative Liaison Office at the
Central Office which is tasked to coordinate with the House of Representatives and the Senate on bills that
concerns the interests and well-being of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
The Office on Policy, Planning & Research (OPPR), as the focal office, coordinates with the other offices of
NCIP at the national, regional and field office levels to ensure that the Agency and ICC/IP concerns are
properly represented in the various committee hearings. As of to date, there are seventeen (17) legislative
measures filed at the House of Representatives and four (4) legislative measures filed at the Senate which are
undergoing series of consultations at various levels, to wit:
A. House Bills
1. House Bill No. 97 - An Act Providing for the Indigenous Peoples Scholarship Program and
Appropriating Funds Therefor;
2. House Bill No. 98 - An Act to Include Ethnic Origin in the National Survey Conducted by the National
Statistics Office;
3. House Bill No. 985 - An Act Creating a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee for the Indigenous
Peoples Rights Act;
4. House Bill No. 659 - An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Against Persons on Account of Ethnic Origin
and/or Religious Belief;
5. House Bill No. 1071 - An Act Providing for the Establishment of an Indigenous Training Center in the
City of Kidapawan, North Cotabato and Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes;
6. House Bill No. 1072 – An Act Creating the Department of Indigenous Peoples, Defining its Powers and
Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and Other Purposes;
7. House Bill No. 1078 - An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Indigenous Peoples to National Building,
Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for Other Purposes;
8. House Bill No. 1220 – Extending the Period for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples to
Exercise the Option to Secure Land Title to Their Ancestral Lands Under Land Registration Act 496 and
Granting a New Five (5) Year Period to the National Commission On Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to take
Appropriate Legal Action for the Cancellation of Officially Documented Titles which were Illegally
Acquired, Amending for the Purpose Section 12 And 64 Of Republic Act 8371, Otherwise Known as
“The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act Of 1997”;
9. House Bill No. 1274 - An Act Providing for a Free And Culture-Sensitive System of Registration
Concerning the Civil Status of Indigenous Peoples and for Other Purposes;
10. House Bill No. 2369 - An Act Providing for the Establishment of an Indigenous Training Center in the
Municipality Of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, 2nd District of Sultan Kudarat and Appropriating Funds therefor;
11. House Bill 4219 - An Act Protecting and Strengthening the Indigenous Community Conserved Areas,
Recognizing their Contribution to Biodiversity Conservation, Establishing for the Purpose The National
ICCA Registry, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes;
12. House Bill No. 4220 - An Act Recognizing And Institutionalizing Indigenous Peoples' Educational
Systems Within the Philippine Educational Systems, Establishing the Guidelines for the Accreditation,
Management And Evaluation of IP Schools, Appropriating the Necessary Government Funds, Financial
Assistance, Incentives, and Support Therefor and for Other Purposes;
13. House Bill No. 4634 - An Act Establishing the Kalanguya Center for the Provinces of Ifugao, Benguet,
Nueva Vizcaya, 6th District Of Pangasinan and 1st District of Nueva Ecija and Appropriating Funds
Therefor;
14. House Bill No. 1274 - An Act Providing for a Free And Culture-Sensitive System of Registration
Concerning the Civil Status of Indigenous Peoples and for Other Purposes;
15. House Bill 1969 - An Act Providing for a Free and Culture-Sensitive System of Registration Concerning
the Civil Status of Indigenous Peoples and for Other Purposes;
16. House Bill No. 4420 - An Act Declaring August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day and Mandating
the Meaningful Observance thereof;
17. House Bill No. 5351 – An Act Establishing Resource Centers for Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples to Enhance and Ensure Delivery of Essential Services, Appropriating
Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes;
B. Senate Bills
1. Senate Bill No. 534 – An Act to Include Ethnic Origin in the National Survey Conducted by the National
Statistics Office;
2. Senate Bill No. 669 - An Act Safeguarding the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
3. Senate Bill No, 857 - An Act Creating and Establishing the Center for Studies On Indigenous Cultural
Communities, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes;
4. Senate Bill No. 1506 - An Act Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunities to Members of Indigenous
Cultural Communities and Preference in Certain Cases and for Other Purposes;
5. Senate Bill No. 2013 - An Act Granting The National Commission On Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) a New
Ten (10) Year Period Within Which to take Appropriate Legal Action for the Cancellation of Officially
Documented Titles which were Illegally Acquired as Provided Under Section 64 Of Republic Act 8371,
Otherwise Known as “An Act To Recognize, Protect and Promote the Rights of Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples, Creating The National Commission On Indigenous Peoples,
Establishing Implementing Mechanisms, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes”;
6. Senate Bill NO. 2209 – An Act Establishing Resource Centers for Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples to Enhance and Ensure Delivery of Essential Services, Appropriating
Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes;
7. Senate Bill No. 2580 An Act Protecting and Strengthening the Indigenous Community Conserved Areas,
Recognizing their Contribution to Biodiversity Conservation, Establishing for the Purpose the National
ICCA Registry, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other. Purposes..
While several laws have been enacted that may deter discrimination, the State has still to pass a bill on anti-
discrimination. Worth noting however, are the efforts of the legislative branch in having a law specific to anti-
discrimination passed into law. In 2007, an Anti-religious and Racial Profiling bill was proposed in the House
of Representatives. The proposed bill criminalizes the discriminatory acts against a person on account of his/her
religion, ethnic origin and race. It has undergone the long and tedious process of enacting laws. In the process,
comments and positions of different concerned agencies were solicited. The bill passed the scrutiny and final
readings of both House and Senate but due to the impending elections then in 2010, it has again to be filed and
undergo the same process. Nevertheless, taking cognizant of its importance, several bills related to anti-
discrimination were proposed during the Fifteenth Congress. In 2011, at the House of Representatives and
Senate, proposed House Bill No. 4807 entitled „An Act Prohibiting Racial, Ethnic and Religious Discrimination
‟complemented at the Senate by Senate Bill No. 2814 entitled „An Act Prohibiting Profiling as well as
Discrimination against persons on account of Ethnic or racial origin and/or religious affiliation or belief‟ were
filed. The former has been introduced by at least ten (10) members of the House of Representatives while the
latter was also a consolidation of at least four (4) proposed Senate bills. These were Senate bill (SB) no. 19
entitled „An Act prohibiting discrimination against person on account of ethnic origin and/or religious belief‟,
SB No. 1213 entitled „An Act prohibiting discrimination against persons on account of ethnic origin and/or
religious belief‟ and SB No. 1342 entitled „An Act prohibiting religious and racial profiling‟. While laws
passed during the reporting period were prioritized towards the reorganization of the judiciary for instance,
these laws will facilitate efforts in addressing discrimination as well. The non-passage of a specific anti-
discrimination bill will not impede the continuing initiatives of government agencies and non-government
organizations concerned in addressing discrimination since the State recognizes its obligation and duty as a
party to the ICERD.
On February 7-8, 2013, the government through a Second Round Table Discussion (RTD), consulted the key
stakeholders on the propriety of the Philippines‟ ratification of the ILO International Convention on Indigenous
and Tribal Peoples (No. 169). The consultation process involved determining the necessity of enacting
legislation, ascertaining gaps in existing laws, rules and regulations, and identifying ways to address such gaps.
In that RTD, the call to ratify ILO 169 was resounding. However, the challenge still remains on how various
NGOs, CSOs, Government agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Indigenous Peoples and the
general public be part of the broader support on the lobbying for ratification and being informed and
knowledgeable about ILO 169 and the IPRA in general.
References:
1. CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE
ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (ICERD). Submitted to PHRC and forwarded to DFA for
official submission of the Philippine Compliance Report on the ICERD to GENEVA on 2014;
2. 2014 Agency Accomplishment Report
3. 2014 Agency report on the Implementation of Outcome Document: Resolution No. 69/2
4. Agency Inter-Bureau Consultation on 08 October 2015