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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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SENA1ll
S.B. No. i:! 8
'11
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58
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the recognition and promotion of the
rights of indigenous cultural communities and the development of their cultures,
traditions and institutions within the framework of national unity and development. It
enjoins the State to protect the rights of indigenous peoples to their ancestral lands to
ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being.
The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) or Republic Act 8371 further
strengthens this mandate by providing that, "the State shall, with due recognition of
their distinct characteristics and identity, accord to the members of the Indigenous
Cultural Communities (ICCs)/ Indigenous Peoples (IPs) the rights, protections, and
privileges enjoyed by the rest of the citizenry. It shall extend to them the same
employment rights, opportunities, basic services, educational and other rights and
privileges available to every member of the society." Moreover, the law recognizes that,
"ICCs/IPs have the right to special measures for the immediate, effective, and
continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions, including areas of
employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health, and social
security. "
The successful implementation of laws, however well meaning they are, is
anchored on the possession of relevant and accurate data, which is the basis of sound
policies that in turn are translated into effective and targeted action. To date, the