RLA BILL NO. 82
Republic of the Philippines
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
Cotabato City
FIFTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
(First Regular Session)
MUSLIM MINDANAO AUTONOMY ACT NO. 241
AN ACT TO RECOGNIZE, RESPECT, PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE
RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE AND JUSTICE SYSTEMS, AND CUSTOMARY
LAWS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/TRIBAL PEOPLES OF THE
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO.
Be it enacted by the Regional Assembly in session assembled:
Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Tribal Peoples Rights Act.”
Sec. 2. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all members of the indigenous cultural
communities / indigenous peoples/tribal peoples [ICCs/IPs/TPs] within the Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao, which includes the Teduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo and other
tribes/peoples.
Sec. 3. Declaration of Policy. – The Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao [ARMM] reaffirms the policies embodied in the 1987 Philippine Constitution,
Republic Act 8371 [Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA)], Republic Act 9054 [Organic
Act], and international treaties and agreements concerning indigenous people, such as, but not
limited to, the International Labor Organization Convention No. 169 and the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples as adopted by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007. It is
hereby declared the policy of the Regional Government:
1. To recognize and promote the rights of ICCs/IPs/TPs within the framework of national
and regional unity and development.
2. To recognize, respect, and protect the rights of ICCs/IPs/TPs to preserve and develop
their cultures, traditions and institutions. The Regional Government shall consider these
rights in the formulation of regional plans and policies.
3. To ensure the development, protection, and well-being of all ICCs/IPs/TPs within the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.