vulnerability of the Filipino IPs, particularly those in far-flung areas, is demonstrated
by their susceptibility to unwarranted influence due to the lack of information on
their rights, responsibilities, and government efforts to assist them. On the other
hand, stronger regional autonomy, particularly in governance and fiscal matters, is
being advocated in the Cordilleras. Encroachment of non-IPs to their ancestral
domains and land should be addressed, and there are instances when indigenous
identity requires clarification in the government guidelines.
The participants agree that the present reality requires particular attention to the
needs of the Filipino IPs, and further collaboration among rights-holder and dutybearers. The challenges can be addressed by, among others, setting up the IP Rights
Observatory (IPRO), wherein one of the component processes is the conduct of
inquiries to obtain updated information on the human rights situation of all Filipino
IPs, applying in practice the standards of participation, accountability,
nondiscrimination, transparency, human dignity, empowerment and the rule of law.
The participants also elaborated on their view about the IP Rights Observatory
(IPRO) and the issues that would be addressed in the national inquiry. Thematic
concerns are identified, such as challenges to the formal recognition of ancestral
domains, their control and management by the IPs in the pursuit of their right to
self-determination, displacement, environmental degradation, non-compliance of
the rule to obtain FPIC, loss of cultural identity, and weak IPs’ governance
structures. The IPs is often victims of armed conflict.
The IP Rights Observatory (IPRO) is perceived to be an independent source of data
that would identify the impacts of government programs and projects to the
realization of IPs human rights. It shall specialize in the documentation, application,
and practice of customary laws in all efforts to provide expeditious remedial
measures to the IPs. Through the IPRO, IPs’ participation in development planning,
implementation, and monitoring shall be given full space.
Given the discussions during the Baguio Conference, CHR, pursuant to its mandate,
will initiate the conduct of a national inquiry on the current human rights situation
of the Filipino Indigenous Peoples in 2017, to coincide with the 20 th year since the
enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA). Thus this
partnership is being pursued between CHR, the various government agencies, and
the IPMRs to mobilize nationwide support for the effective conduct of this national
inquiry and setting up the IP Rights Observatory (IPRO). Towards this endeavor,
CHR and the NCIP shall:
1. Take the lead and facilitate all the processes of the national inquiry, including
providing the appropriate guidelines for the conduct of the national inquiry.
105
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