Advocacy Program

1. To lobby on the different issues and concerns related to the development opportunities confronting the IPs.
2. To strengthen partnership between the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), International Organizations (IOs) and other government line agencies.
3. To support the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education;
4. To explore collaborative partnership with local and international agencies on various concerns

MILESTONES

1. Forging Partnerships for Peace (FPP)

   The FPP is a loose coalition of CSOs responding to the challenges of consolidating the various initiatives, identifying the gaps and services available for the IPs.The various meetings held since 2005 examines and provided solutions to some of the more urgent IP issues that will have an adverse impact in their peace and solidarity. FPP is convened by ten (10) members working together as its Steering Committee: Philippine Association for Inter-Cultural Development (PAFID), Cordillera Peoples’ Forum (CPF), Balay Rehabilitation Center, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO), Anthropology Watch (AW), Inter-People’s Exchange (IPEX); Koalisyon ng Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI), Cartwheel Foundation, Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Program (NTFP) and the Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI).

2. A National IP Agenda Crafted in Pamulaan Recognizing the election of P-Noy as an opportunity for change, forty IP leaders coming from 24 tribes all over the country gathered for a two-day Workshop on a “National IP Agenda” at the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education last June 24-25, 2010.After two days of experience sharing and reflection, the IP leaders came up with an agenda that summarizes the hopes and dreams of the IPs as articulated in various national and local consultations and fora. The agenda focuses on four themes:
   1. Karapatan sa Lupa (Land and Natural Resources: Tenure, Use and Management);
   2. Kapayapaan (Peace, Conflict-Management)
   3. Kultura at Karunungan (Cultural Integrity, Knowledge and Education)
   4. Kasarinlan (Self-Governance and Policy)

   As a culminating activity of the workshop, the group presented the workshop results to Richard Dee and Viel Aquino-Dee, who came over to Davao to attend the gathering. In response to the presentation of the IP leaders, Mrs. Dee promised to hand over the agenda to government authorities, with the hope that P-Noy administration will give particular attention to the IPs.

3. IP Conversations Series

   A Quarterly Conversation Series of the NCIP with Civil Society Organizations, Peoples’ Organizations, NGOs, International Organizations and Other IP Support GroupThe series is aimed at building new opportunities for collaborative efforts between the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the various stakeholders. Objectives:

   • To generate recommendations for the enhancement of NCIP in addressing IP issues and in supporting IP initiatives and concerns;
   • To generate recommendations in strengthening partnerships between CSOs, IPOs, IOs and the NCIP;
   • To agree on avenues for a continuing dialogue.
4. CENSUS Mapping

   An IP census pilot project in partnership with the UNDP was undertaken in 2009 to map out and survey the IPs in parts of Oriental Mindoro, Mindanao, Palawan and Zambales. The activity has provided capacity building and boosted the self-esteem of the IPs as they take a participatory approach in the census process; afforded them a practical tool for community planning and analysis; furthered the cause of their recognition as part of the country’s significant population; and a sense of belonging to contribute to their own communities. The census benefitted the following:This is a viable and highly effective approach in the population census of the IP communities who are often neglected if not, marginalized in the yearly national census of the government. Given the consideration, the process can be scaled up to functionally reach and cover all of the IPs living in the remotest areas in the country.

5. KALINDOGAN Indigenous Youth Peace Congress

   Kalindogan is a Lumad term referring to a gathering of peoples of different tribes to celebrate and sustain their culture. The program responds to the urgent issues and challenges being faced by IP youth while adapting to their ever changing environment. In celebration of the Indigenous Peoples’ month since October 2007, Kalindogan convenes the IP Youth for a four (4) day conference to brainstorm and establish their direction based on the following theme: 2009: “Reclaiming Indigenous Leadership” 2010: “Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness” 2011: Social Entrepreneurship: “Strengthening the Indigenous Peoples’ Capacity on Sustainable Livelihood and Community Development”

6. The Tertiary Education for IPs In partnership with HOPE International, Cordaid, Asian Community Trust (ACT), Ilawan Inc., Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), Cartwheel Foundation Inc. and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), a tertiary education program was established. It is called Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education.Pamulaan Center offers a variety of school and community-based academic and non-academic programs addressing the critical needs of various indigenous communities, and adopts a ladderized approach in education. The course offerings include: Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (BAT), Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) specializing in teaching Indigenous Peoples, A.B. Anthropology (BAA), and A.B. Peace Education (BAPE) and a proposed curriculum on Bachelor of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship (BASE). A total of 97 students are currently enrolled in SY2011 and twenty-four (24) has graduated as of March 2012. The 73 remaining students will be joined in by a new batch of 40 freshmen. The Center has produced a total of 81 graduates since 2010.