Quezon City, Philippines (8 August 2014) --In celebration of the World's Indigenous Peoples' Day, Tebtebba organized on 8 August 2014 a National Consultation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria Tauli­‐Corpuz in Quezon City, Philippines.

The national consultation was a very successful event since this brought together indigenous peoples representatives, government agencies and bodies, UN agencies, multilateral banks, the academe, religious, and NGOs. Almost a hundred participants listened to the Special Rapporteur share her vision, thrusts and priorities.

Indigenous representatives from various networks (KAMP and BAI/Innabuyog, Erumanen ne Menuvu/Indigenous Peoples’ Structure) and NGOs reported on the situation of indigenous peoples, including indigenous women, highlighting continuing human rights violations and violations of collective rights, including free, prior and informed consent, as a result of militarization, mining, and other development projects. Also shared was the concern of indigenous peoples in southern Philippines, specifically by the Erumanen ne Menuvu, of their non-recognition in the Bangsamoro draft bill, a result of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

But this was also a venue to share good practices being done by indigenous peoples in several communities and NGOs in implementing sustainable, self-determined development. Sildap-SE on southern Philippines shared their initiatives on mapping and resource inventory, while NNK (Firm Unity of Kalanguya) from Tinoc, Ifugao in northern Philippines discussed how they have organized themselves and influenced the local government in recognizing and adopting their comprehensive land use plans and implementing their own development. PAFID, an NGO, shared their joint work together with the Talaandig community in strengthening the governance, protection and development of the Talaandig ancestral lands in Bukidnon province. Assisi Development Foundation also discussed their work in empowering communities through indigenous peoples’ education, livelihoods and promoting justice and peace.

Several government agencies and bodies (such as the Climate Change Commission, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Provincial Health Office of Mt. Province) shared how they are incorporating respect for indigenous peoples' rights and development in their policies and programs, looking also at the problems and challenges they face. The University of the Philippines discussed their key activities in support of indigenous peoples, and their commitment to work with indigenous peoples in the area of indigenous studies and research. Other agencies that gave response were from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the IP Desk of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Prof. Virginia Dandan, the United Nations Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity (UNIE) gave a brief discussion on her mandate and the work she is doing as independent expert. The UNICEF and the World Bank, on the other hand, gave updates on their programs in relation to indigenous peoples, while the latter shared the Bank’s safeguard policy. The ILO representative shared in brief its work in support of indigenous peoples. Also present was the country representative from UNFPA.

From the legislature, Congresswoman Nancy Catamco, who is Chair of the Committee on National Cultural Communities, and Raymond Baguilat from the Office of Congressman Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, presented their legislative initiatives to address indigenous peoples’ situations, and recognition and respect of indigenous peoples’ rights and development.

The consultation developed into a lively exchange of situations, views, ideas and ways forward. In her response, the UNSRRIP Vicky Tauli-Corpuz said that this consultation was a very good opportunity to bring together indigenous peoples with government, UN bodies, the academe, who would otherwise have found it difficult to have frank discussions and exchanges with these various actors. She further added that she was very happy with the results of the consultation and is hopeful that indigenous peoples, government, UN agencies, civil society will continue to work together and find common ground for the respect, protection and fulfillment of indigenous peoples’ rights and sustainable, self-determined development.

The Philippine national consultation was an opportunity to share the mandate, vision and tentative plans of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; discuss some of the alleged cases of human rights violations against indigenous peoples and recommendations on how these can be better addressed; and share the problems, challenges, obstacles faced and good practices of indigenous peoples, the government, various UN agencies and multilateral organizations, and civil society in working for the recognition and fulfillment of indigenous peoples’ rights and development.

The national consultation cum IP day celebration was supported by the Brot-fur-die-Welt/EED of Germany. (Tebtebba Indigenous Information Service)