ANAK Mindanao (AMIN) party-list group on Friday urged the government to continue the promotion of Filipino Indigenous People’s plight.
“More than realizing and recognizing the rights of Filipino IPs through inclusivity and participation, it is also important to respect and preserve their culture, history and identity,” said Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan as they enjoined the nation in observing Indigenous People’s Month and the 23rd founding anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA).
As a party-list that advocates the progression of the Filipino IPs’ hope and aspirations, AMIN party-list also called for the strengthening the bond between the people and the government by remaining sincerely committed in safeguarding the former’s welfare and interests.
“The creation of IPRA 23 years ago today gave us the distinction as the first nation in Asia that recognizes the struggles and aspirations of our Indigenous Peoples. It was created as the legal backbone that guarantees the protection of our IPs rights and liberties,” said Sangcopan.
Sangcopan added that as a political party that moves for cultural preservation and sovereignty of the marginalized, AMIN will continue to bat for the passage of many legislations responsive to the welfare and advantage of our IPs.
Such bill authored by AMIN is House Bill (HB) 6999, an act that mandates local government units to allot at least one percent (1%) of their Internal Revenues solely for the welfare of the IPs and the development of indigenous cultural communities.
According to AMIN, this legislation can help the plight of local and disadvantaged IPs residing in remote areas to have access to basic needs and meaningful dialogue where the former can express their own priorities for developments affecting their rights and beliefs.
Other legislations apart from HB 6999 principally authored by AMIN that addresses IP concerns are HB 1579 and HB 1580. HB 1579 is an act that prohibits racial, ethnic and religious discrimination while HB 1589 is an act that seeks the promotion, protection and conservation of traditional arts in Mindanao and Sulu.
“I am will remain constantly encouraging the government, both local and national, to listen and continue providing avenues where our IPs can freely raise their concerns and be given equal and direct participation of how they can contribute, to the best of their knowledge, the preservation of their culture and way of life,” ended Sangcopan.
