19 April 2024 | Relative to the ongoing discussion on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum namely economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights with reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, NCIP Chairperson Jennifer delivered a message encompassing the different initiatives of the Philippine government to support Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples.
Chairperson Sibug-Las emphasized the Philippines’ high regard for its Indigenous Peoples, recognizing their invaluable contributions as vital in the country’s pursuit of achieving sustainable development. Also, she shared with the UN forum members the different programs and projects of the Philippines that cater to the needs of the ICCs/IPs.
For preserving cultural heritage and advocating for the rights to self-determination of the ICCs/IPs, the Chairperson shared the program of NCIP that supports the formulation and implementation of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPP). Further, in terms of addressing issues on food stability and global warming, Chairperson Sibug-Las cited the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Inclusive Agricultural Development Project (MIADP) which aims to sustainably increase productivity, resiliency, and access to markets and services of organized farmers and fisherfolk groups in selected geographically isolated ancestral domains in the southern part of the country.
Additionally, in the aspect of healthcare, the Chairperson highlighted the Department of Health’s implementation of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) health systems development strategy simultaneous to the conduct of various health caravans.
Capping her message, the Chairperson expressed the Philippines’ openness to continued dialogue with the UN Permanent Forum and other stakeholders in line with the country’s commitment to addressing and advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.
In attendance with the Chairperson during the meeting are Commissioner Atty. Pinky Grace Pareja, Commissioner Gaspar A. Cayat, and Commissioner Jeorge M. Largado.
