By Maya M. Padillo, Correspondent

PROPONENTS of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) expected to be tackled in Congress soon should recognize as well the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs), an advocate in that sector’s behalf said.

Lumad
The Lumad people, an indigenous group from Southern Philippines, perform a native dance to express their protest against the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Baclaran Church, Manila, on November 19, 2015. — AFP

Datu Lipatuan Joel Andres Unad, chairman of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD), cited Republic Act 8371 protecting the rights of IPs to their ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being.

“Republic Act 8371 strengthens rights of the IPs in terms of ancestral domain, self-determination, justice system, and cultural integrity,” he said. He said IPs are anxious that after a federal form of government takes effect, their rights will disappear. “There’s the state of Bangsamoro, state of civil society, and state of CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) – the question is what is the state for the IPs? If we belong in one state, what is the image of the tribe in the state?” asked Mr. Unad.

He also said they will be asking, not for a separate governance with the implementation of BBL, but the same governance “particular on the tribes for them to continue to exercise their cultural practices.”

Mr. Unad said this issue will be among the leading topics in the upcoming 7th Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Convention on Aug. 29 to 31. The convention aims to secure the position of IPs in national discussions on the issue of Federalism as well as reassesses government programs for IPs on peace and security, agriculture, development, culture and education, among others. “The convention will tackle issues on economic development, President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal of a federal state, and peace and security, and advancement of the cultural development.” Mr. Unad said. Cultural preservation among various ethnographic tribes and providing economic opportunities to communities are other matters to be taken up in the convention, which is in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

The IPs in Mindanao are composed of 18 major ethnographic tribes and comprise 60% of the total IP population nationwide.

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