Indigenous People Have Their Own Rights

     In the Philippines, October is a very important month in the sense that it encompasses National Indigenous Peoples Month and the 27th year anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997. The week-long celebration will focus on sensitizing and safeguarding the rich heritage and rights of the indigenous peoples' communities under the theme "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalana" or Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge. In observance of the valuable contribution of IPs to the molding of the Filipino way of life and identity, there is again a renewal of urgency to preserve their traditions and protect their rights.

    IPRA is a basis for the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, providing ancestral domains, cultural integrity, and self-governance. During Indigenous Peoples Month, it is emphasized how this law continues to highlight issues such as land disputes, marginalization, and cultural erosion affecting these communities, which are the foci of activities pursued to gain knowledge about these cultures, including cultural exhibitions, storytelling, and forums that would also lead to useful knowledge about environmental conservation and living sustainably.

    This year's theme calls for a reminder from all Filipinos to uphold responsibility in valuing and protecting indigenous knowledge. In this sense, traditions should be preserved and rights met, all with the genuine aim of propagating inclusion-in the contributions made by indigenous peoples and in their welfare, expressed mainly in terms of education, health, and the protection of ancestral lands. The joy of celebration is harnessed in that it calls for stronger heritage and the handling of systemic issues. And then, it strengthens indigenous peoples' value in national development and cultural preservation.

References:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FIndigenous_peoples&psig=AOvVaw1QRfnkw4wePZwjYT6UflSe&ust=1732709444603000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCOienuP7-YkDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffoodtank.com%2Fnews%2F2014%2F02%2F3-reasons-you-need-to-support-indigenous-peoples-even-if-you-are-not-indige%2F&psig=AOvVaw1QRfnkw4wePZwjYT6UflSe&ust=1732709444603000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCOienuP7-YkDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI