Proposed IP code represents advanced version of IPRA, says BARMM IP committee

COTABATO CITY — The proposed Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Code, set to be the enhanced version of the national government’s Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), has received support in its bid to address the unique challenges faced by indigenous communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Member of Parliament Ramon Piang Sr., chair of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, emphasized that Parliament Bill No. 273, or the proposed IP Code, will provide a strong framework tailored to the region’s distinct IP needs.

Piang guaranteed that the final version of the bill would adhere to the highest standards of inclusivity, ensuring that the voices and rights of indigenous communities are duly represented and protected.

During a public hearing convened by the committee in Quezon City lately, the proposed IP code received resounding support from various groups.

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Indigenous Peoples International Centre for Policy Research and Education’s executive director, said that the IP code, once passed, is a fulfillment of a promise made to the Bangsamoro people.

The code is “well-crafted,” Tauli-Corpuz said, noting that it outlines crucial rights for IP groups.

Dr. Ronald Adamat, commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education, commended the integration of substantial provisions from the IPRA into the proposed code and proposed the establishment of a museum dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and history of indigenous groups.

Legal reviews conducted by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) have emphasized the necessity for the proposed IP Code to adhere to constitutional frameworks and international treaties ratified by the Philippines.

Atty. Benedicto Bacani, executive director of the IAG, stressed that the law must address fundamental concerns such as identity, ancestral domain, and the proper implementation of indigenous rights.

However, the non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) remain hopeful that the Bangsamoro Parliament will pass an IP code that also addresses their rights and needs.

The NMIPs, through their Indigenous Political Structures (IPS), which represent the Erumanen ne Menuvu, Mënubù Dulangan, Tëduray, and Lambangian, have been actively participating in legislative discussions to help shape a law that is both inclusive and equitable.

The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE PH), a national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection of indigenous and rural communities, presented their position on the proposed IP code during today’s consultation.

They emphasized that the proposed measure provides an important opportunity for the Bangsamoro Parliament to implement legislation that corresponds to the specific contexts and needs of its diverse indigenous constituents.

The group reiterated the importance of the bill in determining the future trajectory of NMIPs within the BARMM, stressing the imperative of recognizing their right to self-determination.

Piang reiterated the Bangsamoro government’s commitment to inclusivity, highlighting the allocation of two seats for NMIP sectoral representatives in the regular parliament as outlined in the approved electoral law.

The proposed IP code seeks to preserve the collective rights of IPs, recognize and develop ancestral domains, strengthen indigenous political structures and political participation, and protect minority indigenous communities from marginalization and discrimination.

The bill applies to all native IPs within the region, such as Teduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, Erumanun Ne Menuvu, Higaonon, B’laan, Sama Dilaut, Sama Jama Mapun, Sama Bangingi, Sama Pangutaran, and other marginalized and minority ICCs recognized by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA). (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)