SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
Second Regular Sessioll
)
'14
GEC 17 P5 :04
SENATE
S.B. NO.
2f)24
Introduced by Senatol' Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT MANDATIN·G THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND NON-MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO
INDIGENT LITIGANTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES WHILE IN ATTENDANCE OF HEARINGS OR PROCEEDINGS IN
TI-IE NCIP
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It has come to om attention that many of our poor countrymen who are members of the
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples are not able to adequately protect their
rights under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act ("IPRA") on account of
lack of transportation Ii·om their respective residences or even their inability to pay for
transportation from their respective residence to Regional I-Iearing Offices of the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples ("NCIP"). Moreover, as many of the Regional Hearing
Offices are located in cities, they can barely afford to pay for their food while attending to the
hearings on their complaints and other legal concerns.
Given the above situation, it appears that many of the cases of our ICCIlP brothers and sisters
have been dismissed for lack .01' interest to prosecute. In essence, justice is being denied to
them solely on the account of their poverty or inability to attend to the most basic necessities
while attending hearings.
We note that the NCIP is sufficiently clothed with authority to charge reasonable
administrative fees and charges, the funds of which can be diverted or allocated to support the·
intent of this proposed legislation. We understand that majority of those requesting for
Certificate Precondition pursuant to Section 59 of the IPRA for instance, can pay for said
reasonable fees and charges. The NCIP should be expressly given authority to allocate li.ll1ds
ti'om this source.
For the above reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
~a/
MARIA LOURJ;;JvJANCY S. BlNA Y
Senator