In October the Philippines celebrates the National Indigenous Peoples Month following Presidential Proclamation No 1906. This is an occasion to honor and acknowledge the heritage, resilience and contributions of the country’s indigenous communities.
For the European Union, this celebration is deeply meaningful, especially in a country like in the Philippines where indigenous peoples constitute an important part of the population. It is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to respect, protect and safeguard the rights and well-being of the indigenous peoples. Our values are anchored on human dignity, cultural diversity and sustainable development.
Since I came to the country more than a year ago, I am honored to have met with some of the country’s indigenous leaders. Last July, for example, I was acquainted with the tribal leaders from Upi, Maguindanao del Norte and officials from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs who will take charge of a common project supported by the EU, the ‘School of Living Tradition.’ This school envisions itself to be a learning hub where living masters can pass on their knowledge and culture to the younger generation and, at the same time, promote unity and social cohesion within the community.
The indigenous peoples relayed to me their challenges, ranging from protection of their ancestral domain to the need for more livelihood and education. The EU has listened. The issues of the indigenous peoples and other vulnerable populations form an integral part of the human rights policy of the European Union.
I have had also the unique privilege to meet young indigenous leaders working hard to develop vibrant shade-grown cacao and coffee businesses in Mindanao. These indigenous farmers showed us how to integrate modern practices while preserving the knowledge and expertise on sustainable agro-forestry passed on through generations. Their approach directly benefits ecosystems and maintains biodiversity while regulating water and the climate. Indigenous practices are rooted in long-standing traditional knowledge. As such, they help sustain local ecosystems and human well-being. When we talk about sustainable agriculture, the new generation of indigenous farmers is at the forefront of our minds. After all, indigenous farmers hold the key to sustainable agriculture in the country. That is why our Mindanao Peace and Development Program supports the capacities of agricultural cooperatives, including those of indigenous cultural communities, to develop conflict-sensitive and peace-promoting investments for increased agricultural productivity. The program also improves infrastructure so that rural populations in Mindanao, including indigenous communities, can better access services.
At the same time, the challenges of the indigenous peoples remain and displacement exacerbated due to natural hazards as well. Many are displaced from their ancestral domains and some suffer from lack of access to basic services. Nevertheless, there are positive steps forward.
The journey may not be easy. Nevertheless, our continuing dialogue with the indigenous peoples is a very good step to ensure that their voices are heard, respected and are given the chance to identify both issues and actions for their own development.
This Partnership for Peace and Development in Mindanao is a new program that will consolidate and sustain the peace gains, increase resiliency and reduce sources of conflict and instability, not only in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but in the whole of Mindanao. This new program follows the successful conclusion of our Support to Bangsamoro Transition initiative. Both have been designed to strengthen the capacities of the indigenous peoples as well as women, children, youth and internally displaced persons.
Another good illustration of empowering the indigenous peoples is reflected in our initiative to enhance capacities of environmental human rights defenders in South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Antique and Zambales implemented by the Balay Rehabilitation Center. We have witnessed how the Subanon indigenous peoples in Zamboanga del Notre have been empowered to push for a ‘no permit, no mining’ policy in their respective communities, considering the grave environmental and human rights issues they are dealing with. Community consultation is now adopted as a best standard practice.
In the north, another EU project is implemented by the Cordillera Women’s Education and Research Center, to help amplify the voices of the indigenous peoples in the region, especially the women and youth, to advance their decades-old yearning for full autonomy.
The EU stands with the indigenous peoples in the Philippines and in the world. The protection of indigenous rights is not a peripheral issue but part of our core engagement. The wisdom of the indigenous peoples is something that we want to preserve. Supporting their rights means respecting their self-determination. With this in mind, we are also engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Philippine government, as part of our broader cooperation on human rights, because the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples are the responsibility of all. True progress respects diversity and protects dignity.
Let us sustain the celebration of the heritage and wisdom of indigenous communities even beyond National Indigenous Month this October.
Genuine dialogue, rooted in respect for culture, is the genuine bond that should exist between indigenous peoples and the global society. This is not a one-off action. Protecting our indigenous peoples, our partners, is an investment in a more inclusive and sustainable future.