22nd IPRA Anniversary Celebration

Theme: “Empowering Indigenous Peoples Through the Whole-of-Nation Approach”

Quezon City, October 12, 2019 – In solidarity with the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of the country, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) will lead the 22nd anniversary celebration of the enactment of Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 with the theme: “Empowering Indigenous Peoples Through the Whole-of-Nation Approach”. IPRA Anniversary celebration is in consonance with Presidential Proclamation No. 1123, series of 1997, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos declaring October 29 to November 4 of each year as “Indigenous Peoples Week”, Presidential Proclamation No. 1106, series of 2009, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declaring the month of October every year as “National Indigenous Peoples Month”, and Presidential Proclamation No. 486, series of 2003 declaring October 29 of every year as “National IP Thanksgiving Day”.

This year celebration is anchored on the Whole-of-Nation Approach laid out in Executive Order No. 70 series of 2018 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, that spelled-out the government policy for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace by harmonizing and prioritizing the delivery of basic social services and social development packages in conflict areas and vulnerable communities to ensure active participation of all sectors of society in pursuit of the country’s peace agenda. This is in line with the commitment of the NCIP through the leadership of Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan to promote an inclusive and lasting peace in all ancestral domains through mechanisms that promote empowerment of IPs.

The celebration is a testament to the success of the collective effort of the government and other stakeholders in recognizing, respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights, culture, tradition and well-being of the of the 14.185 million IPs in the country who are partners in nation-building.

Aspirations and dreams of ICCs/IPs are emphasized in the previously formulated Indigenous Peoples Master Plan (IPMP) 2020-2024 which was subsequently complemented with the conceptualization of the NCIP Strategic Plan 2019-2022 that lays down the programs, activities, projects to be implemented. These plans are anchored on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 and the United Nations (UN) sanctioned Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which emphasize the rights of IPs to their ancestral domains, self-governance and empowerment, social justice and human rights, and cultural integrity.

Hence, to experience the warm welcome and culture of our ICCs/IPs, the NCIP invites everyone to join the celebration and experience the activities that highlight cultural activities and milestone achievements in empowering indigenous peoples as mandated by IPRA.