Courtesy: ICCA forum
A RESOLUTION seeking to investigate lapses and alleged anomalies in the implementation of the law protecting Indigenous Peoples was filed last Monday, following decades of delayed processes and reported instances of violence and human rights violations of Indigenous Peoples in their ancestral homes.
1Tahanan Partylist Representative Nathan Oducado filed House Resolution No. 655, asking House Committees to investigate the implementation of RA 8731, also known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, following perceived gaps in its implementation thirty years after its enactment in 1997.
“We want all Filipinos of all backgrounds to enjoy their right to protect and develop their heritage, culture, and land, especially those who have been historically and socioeconomically marginalized,” said Cong. Oducado. “A stronger implementation of the IPRA Law will protect Indigenous Peoples from entities who allegedly seek to intimidate, harass, and exploit them.”
HR655 aims to mobilize the House to look into technical complexities, limited manpower, insufficient funding, and subpar coordination among government agencies which have led to substantial delays and backlogs in the processing of ancestral domain recognition.
“In the 27 years since the IPRA Law took effect, our brothers and sisters from Indigenous Communities have suffered through delayed issuances of Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title (CADTs) and Certificates of Ancestral Land Title (CALTs),” Cong. Oducado said. “This has negatively affected their right to express or withhold free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in activities inside their native lands.”
According to Cong. Oducado, procedural irregularities, inadequate disclosure of project impacts, exclusion of traditional leaders, as well as corruption and coercion have led to Indigenous Peoples being deprived of their right to self-determination in relation to large-scale development projects, specifically mining and energy.
The resolution also aims to investigate alleged irregularities and other hindrances to the implementation of the IPRA Law, including conflicts with other existing laws such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Law.
“The findings of these inquiries shall help us amend and revise provisions of the IPRA Law, especially as regards to FPIC processes, ensuring greater protection, transparency and accountability, and coordination among agencies of the government,” Oducado concluded.
