Subanen Tribe

PGMA issues E.O. 726 to enable indigenous peoples to enjoy the same rights granted to other Filipinos
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008  |  GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT

To preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the country?s indigenous groups, and for them to enjoy all the rights and opportunities granted to fellow Filipinos, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has transferred the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) from the ambit of the Department of Land Reform (DLR) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The NCIP?s transfer was mandated by Executive Order No. 726 which the President signed last May 23. The EO takes effect immediately.

In transferring the NCIP to the DENR, the President stressed that ?there is a continuing need to remain vigilant in protecting the rights and guaranteeing the respect for the cultural integrity of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples.?

President Arroyo added that there is a need of ?ensuring that all members of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples benefit on an equal footing from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant to other members of the population.?

One of the powers of the DENR, which now has jurisdiction over the NCIP, ?is the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.?

On the other hand, ?one of its (DENR?s) objectives is to conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.?

The NCIP was earlier created by Republic Act (RA) 8371 ? the ?Act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples.?

The NCIP was later placed under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) via Executive Order No. 364 which also ?transformed? the DAR into the Department of Land Reform (DLR) on Sept. 27, 2004.