NEWS
29December
Indigenous Peoples laud passage of IP Code
- Dec 29, 2024
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 569
This landmark legislation, aimed at strengthening self-determination and self-governance for IPs, is widely seen as a major step towards recognizing their fundamental rights to ancestral lands, cultural preservation, and autonomy.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) Melanio Ulama, a staunch advocate for the measure, stressd the significance of the IP Code in safeguarding the rights and heritage of indigenous communities.
"The BIPA will empower us to strengthen our self-determination and self-governance, and finally realize the right to Fusaka Inged," Ulama said.
Fusaka Inged, meaning ancestral land, is central to the identity and existence of IPs, serving as the foundation for their livelihoods, culture, and traditions. The IP Code's recognition of ancestral lands is seen as restoring what was inherited from their ancestors.
"The land is an extension of the IPs' lives, deeply rooted in their livelihood, culture, tradition, and beliefs," he emphasized.
The passage of the BIPA is a long-awaited victory for numerous IP leaders and advocates who see it as a concrete manifestation of Moral Governance and inclusivity within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The IP Code prioritizes key rights of the IPs, including those related to ancestral domain, self-governance, cultural integrity, and social justice.
"This enactment is a victory not just for IPs but for the entire Bangsamoro region," Ulama added.
"It complements the principle of leaving no Bangsamoro behind,' Ulama said.
BTA's Committee on Indigenous Peoples Affairs Chair Ramon Piang described the BIPA as an enhanced version of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), tailored to the specific needs of the Bangsamoro's indigenous population.
The IP community eagerly anticipates the full implementation of the code, hopeful that it will pave the way for a more inclusive Bangsamoro where their voices and rights are protected. The BIPA addresses long-standing challenges faced by IPs in BARMM through a legal framework designed to protect and empower communities such as the Téduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, and others.
As one of the priority measures under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) transition period, BIPA joins other key legislation like the Administrative, Education, Civil Service, Local Governance, and Electoral Codes in establishing BARMM's governance structure.
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