SEC. 34. Right to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices and to Develop own
Sciences and Technologies. - ICCs/IPs are entitled to the recognition of the full ownership
and control end protection of their cultural and intellectual rights. They shall have the right to
special measures to control, develop and protect their sciences, technologies and cultural
manifestations, including human and other genetic resources, seeds, including derivatives of
these resources, traditional medicines and hearth practices, vital medicinal plants, animals
and minerals, indigenous knowledge systems and practices, knowledge of the properties of
fauna and flora, oral traditions, literature, designs, and visual and performing arts.
SEC. 35. Access to Biological and Genetic Resources. - Access to biological and genetic
resources and to indigenous knowledge related to the conservation, utilization and
enhancement of these resources, shall be allowed within ancestral lands and domains of the
ICCs/IPs only with a free and prior informed consent of such communities, obtained in
accordance with customary laws of the concerned community.
SEC. 36. Sustainable Agro-Technical Development. - The State shall recognize the right of
ICCs/IPs to a sustainable agro-technological development and shall formulate and implement
programs of action for its effective implementation. The State shall likewise promote the
big-genetic and resource management systems among the ICCs/IPs shall encourage
cooperation among government agencies to ensure the successful sustainable development of
ICCs/IPs.
SEC. 37. Funds for Archeological and Historical Sites. - The ICCs/ IPs shall have the right to
receive from the national government all funds especially earmarked or allocated for the
management and preservation of their archeological and historical sites and artifacts with the
financial and technical support of the national government agencies.
CHAPTER VII
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (NCIP)
SEC. 38. National Commission on Indigenous Cultural Communities/lndigenous Peoples
(NCIP). - To carry out the policies herein set forth, there shall be created the National
Commission on ICCs/ IPs (NCIP), which shall be the primary government agency
responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to
promote and protect the rights and well-being of the ICCs/IPs and the recognition of their
ancestral domains as well as their rights thereto.
SEC. 39. Mandate. - The NCIP shall protect and promote the interest and well-being of the
ICCs/IPs with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions.
SEC. 40. Composition. - The NCIP shall be an independent agency under the Office of the
President and shall be composed of seven (7) Commissioners belonging to ICCs/IPs, one (1)
of whom shall be the Chairperson. The Commissioners shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines from a list of recommenders submitted by authentic ICCs/ IPs: Provided, That
the seven (7) Commissioners shall be appointed specifically from each of the following
ethnographic areas: Region I and the Cordilleras, Region II, the rest of Luzon, Island Groups
including Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Panay and the rest of the Visayas; Northern and
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