Indigenous groups rally for passage of proposed IP code to protect rights and ancestral lands

UPI, Maguindanao del Norte - Indigenous communities in BARMM advocate for the passage of the proposed Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code, citing its important role in protecting indigenous rights.

Public hearings held in Cotabato City and Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, on May 9, echoed the resounding call for the adoption of Parliament Bill No. 273, or the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples' Development Act.

The hearing brought together indigenous cultural communities, government officials, and representatives from various agencies in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur.
 
The proposed IP law, filed by the Government of the Day, aims to protect the collective rights of IP communities in the Bangsamoro region.
 
The bill emphasizes the protection, promotion, and preservation of their ancestral domains, political structures, and cultural identities.
 
Representatives from various indigenous groups expressed their hopes for a legal framework that not only secures their land rights but also guarantees their involvement in decisions affecting their lives and territories.
 
Myrell Patingo, representing indigenous peoples in Wao, Lanao del Sur, highlighted decades of struggles faced by indigenous groups, including land disputes and marginalization.
 
She said that there is now a sense of optimism that the IP code will finally recognize and address the long-standing rights and needs of all members of the indigenous communities within the region.
 
The proposed IP code recognizes the holistic nature of ancestral domains, encompassing not just physical spaces but also spiritual and cultural connections. It grants indigenous peoples rights to ownership, self-determination, equitable resource sharing, territorial residence, and more.
 
It establishes mechanisms for free, prior, and informed consent, ensuring that indigenous peoples have a meaningful say in projects that impact their lands and resources. Calls for inclusivity have been raised, with demands for the recognition of women's and youth's rights within the proposed code.
 
Tribal leader Rebecca Lucena Mokuduf emphasized the importance of women's inclusion, while youth representative Maricar Tiban highlighted the need for accessible education through scholarships and grants.
 
Ramon Piang Sr., chair of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, said that the IP Code isn't just a law; it's a commitment to equality and respect for cultural identity. He said that by passing the IP law, the region recognizes the substantial contributions made by indigenous brothers and sisters to Bangsamoro society.
 
The IP law, one of the remaining priority codes of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, covers all native indigenous peoples within the BARMM, including various marginalized and minority indigenous cultural communities.
 
Further hearings are planned in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, along with consultations with experts in Manila, to ensure comprehensive public input. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)