This 9th edition of the IPDEV newsletter touches on the following IP related topics:
The newsletter begins with a description of the neglected situation of the IPs. The non-intervention of the government has often worsened their position and the article ‘Is there an apology coming?’ is calling for an apology by the government and requests it to cover the needs of the IP’s.
What follows, is an open letter written by the IPs addressed to the President of the Philippines. You can read about their appreciation, hopes as well as concerns on the Bangsamoro Basic Law in ‘A Call for a Genuine Peace’.
One of the main concerns for IPs, namely the claim of ancestral domains, is finally made official on paper. ‘A Pact for a Dream’ comprises the signed agreement on the recognition and protection of the rights to the ancestral domains.
The article ‘Marking what is left’ points out how IPs take self-delineation and mapping actions. A special team was created to do land survey and identify sacred places, which need to be protected. The results in division of land can be read in the newsletter.
Then a speech by Commissioner Froilyn Mendoza, IP Representative to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) follows, in which she underlines that the BBL should protect the rights given to IPs prior to the basic law. She calls for an inclusion of a non-derogation clause in the BBL.
In the following article, pictures of the 50th KAS anniversary are presented, at which handmade bamboo bags made by the IPs in ARMM were shown and sold.
‘Palista Kami Ma’am…’ describes the appreciation and happiness of IPs to be active in the implementation of the BBL. More about their feelings of belongingness can be read in the article.
An explanation of the word ‘Drantung’ and the meaning of 'Free Prior and Informed Consent' can be found in ‘Drantung & FPIC: What Is It?’. You can read what ‘drantung’ or ‘golden opportunity’ mean to the IP and how the FPIC helps them to realize their independence.
In ‘A Teduray woman inspires neighbors’ the story of a woman is told, whose family switched from hybrid corn to diversified farming. Her decision to grow vegetables for household use only inspired many of her neighbors to do the same.
The summary of the Indigenous Peoples Women’s Summit is presented in the article ‘Distinct identities, distinct rights’. The summit addressed the need for recognition of rights and empowerment of IPs. Especially the old traditions should be reviewed, which disadvantage women.
Another speech by Commissioner Froilyn Mendoza is printed in ‘I sign with reservation’. The commissioner clarifies her point of view on the BBL as a representative of the IPs.
The partly adventurous work of IPDEVs/ DEVCONs Development Facilitators, who are the link between IPDEV and the communities, is laid down in ‘When Reality Bites’. It includes the struggles they often had to face with regard to transport, communication and organization to support the IPDEV project.
‘Are We There Yet?’ briefly summarizes the 8th Project Sounding Board, where the progress of the program is discussed future developments are dealt with.
The newsletter ends with the article ‘Filling in the wide gap’, in which a project of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) is described. The program serves to educate IPs in agricultural innovations and aims at helping them to further develop their working methods.
We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter!