This fourth edition of the IPDEV Newsletter contains the following captivating stories of the lives of the IPs:
The article ‘Why Bangsa-Mamalu?‘ (see page 3) recounts the story of the IPs, sheds light on their self-conception and explains why ‘Bangsa-Mamalu’ is not synonymous with the seemingly catch-all term ‘Bangsamoro’. The story of the two brothers Amil and Ado highlights the difference between ‘Bangsa-Mamalu’ and Bangsamoro.
The article ‘IP Rights law can be implemented in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao‘ on page 5, announces the long-awaited acknowledgement of the IPRA in the ARMM, finally setting into motion first preparatory steps towards its implementation.
In the subsequent article ‘Interweaving IP Rights and Bangsamoro‘ on page 8, the fundamental rights of the IPs in the yet to be constituted Bangsamoro Basic Law are discussed. During a workshop organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Upi local government and several IP organizations, IPs were given the opportunity to express and exchange their views on the FAB and to obtain opinions from external experts.
In ‚Tubak: A photo story‘ (see page 10) a collection of impressive snapshots portraying the lives of the people living in the secluded village of Tubak is presented.
On page 13, the article ‚ARMM Disaster Plan forged on Mt. Firis‘ beginns, which announces the signing of the ‘Regional Disaster Management Plan‘.
The article ‘Restoring peace, restoring life on sacred Mt. Firis‘ describes the peaceful actions taken by its residents, mostly IPs themselves, to restore their domains, which became a conflict flashpoint when armed groups claimed the territory, by planting 2,000 seedlings of tree species.
On the occasion of the 3rd meeting of the Project Sounding Boards, the developments concerning the Tribal People’s Rights Act and the recently signed Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro are discussed under the heading ‚Achievements so far‘ (see page 16).
The newsletter closes with the hymn ‘Ruray Fusaka – Treasures in the Domains‘ which vividly expresses the Teduray’s deep attachment toward their domains and the struggle they have to fight in order to protect what is most precious to them.
We hope you will enjoy reading this interesting and colourful newsletter!