The enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), a landmark legislation to correct historical injustice, enforce constitutional mandate and observe international norms, recognized these IKSPs under the right to Cultural Integrity. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the primary agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to promote and protect the rights of the ICCs/IPs and the recognition of their ancestral domains as well as their rights thereto, is determined to advance its mandate in the recognition, promotion, protection and respect of the rights of ICCs/IPs.
On 09 August 2020 at 0900H, the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines will be celebrating online the Indigenous Peoples National Day pursuant to Republic Act No. 10689 entitled “An Act Declaring August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day and Mandating the Meaningful Observance Thereof”. Spearheaded by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the celebration will recognize the history, struggles and victories of the IPs nationwide especially at this present time. This event, with the theme “Katutubong Kaalaman, Sistema at Pamamaraan sa Bagong Karaniwan” (Indigenous Knowledge, Systems, and Practices in the New Normal), will highlight the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples in the face of the pandemic and in the new normal. For this historic and significant celebration, various IP groups nationwide share their rich culture through the parts of the program.
The first part “Ulahing” will be a chanting and prayer to ward off the pandemic. The ed ulahing (chanters) Eru-manen Menuvu IP group from the ancestral domain of Bentangan, Carmen Cotabato will do the “Ulahingan”. During ulahingan, the ed ulahing will know cause of illness and how to ward off that illness through pinted. The song “You Raise Me Up” will also be sang in Ata and Bagobo Tagabawa IP language.
The pandemic brought about by COVID- 19 affected and is affecting the life of all people in all walks of life, the ICCs/IPs included. The second part Sembag Getaw Dangen Gmheset Penluyod (Subanen of IP Response to Pandemic) will showcase how the communities coped with the pandemic through “bayanihan”, resiliency and use of their IKSPs with the assistance of the Philippine government. This part will put into spot light the health advocacy of NCIP Region 11 Dayong Dayong! (Help Now!) that aims to vitalize the Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the battle against COVID-19 and the IP’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) can contribute significantly to eliminating pandemics.
The third part Pagdusay (an Agta term meaning Thanksgiving) will feature the Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) implemented by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with other government agencies in ancestral domains of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
The fourth part will be the messages of support highlighting the continuous advancement of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The fifth part will draw our attention to Pangadi ke kabaskog kag balaan it pagtuytuy sa tunga it pag-angkat (Inete translation of Prayer for strength and Divine Guidance Amidst Challenges) though the dances and prayers. The Indigenous Peoples of The Cordilleras, Regions 6 and 7 will give color to this part of the celebration.
Come! Let’s be one with our IP sisters and brothers!
