[versión en español]

Indigenous peoples in the Philippines call for quality and culturally appropriate education and capacity development during the fourth Dayalogo that was virtually conducted on 28 January 2021 at 9AM to 12NN, via Zoom Meeting.

“Ang edukasyon ay dapat angkop sa kultura (Education must be culturally appropriate).”

Timuey Ronaldo ‘Jojo’ Ambangan of Erumanen ne Menuvu stressed the necessity of providing quality and culturally appropriate education especially within indigenous communities. He narrated how indigenous youth frequently get confused by the formal school lessons that are not context-specific and in line with their traditional systems and practices. Likewise, Ambangan opined that it will be better to have teachers who belong to the same indigenous community not only to further ensure culturally appropriate education but also to allow accountability, mentioning that some non-indigenous teachers who discriminate against their students could not be penalized through the existing customary justice system.

Through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative Philippines, the Dayalogo 4, “Supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Education and Capacity Development,” was virtually conducted on 28 January 2021 at 9AM to 1 PM, via Zoom Meeting. One hundred seventy-eight (178) participants from various indigenous peoples’ organizations, indigenous political structures,  and civil society support groups were joined by representatives from the different government line agencies, namely the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The event was also livestreamed via Tebtebba Facebook Live.

Aside from stressing the relevance of implementing culturally appropriate education, several indigenous leaders shared the initiatives of their indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities in providing basic education that is accessible, appropriate, and culturally responsive. Billy Pobre of Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal and Norma Gonos, working for Limpong na Tutong ng Mandaya na Kabubayan sang Calapagan na Asosasyon (Calapagan Mandaya Women Association), presented their engagement in orthography projects that collate the spelling and pronunciation of specific indigenous words. Pobre and Gonos claim that these orthographies are essential teaching tools and that these are already integrated and utilized in their respective indigenous communities, as well. These orthography projects are conducted with support from the European Union through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative, co-implemented by Tebtebba with its community partners.

Billy Pobre of Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal

In the same way, several indigenous leaders shared the results of their efforts towards building their own community learning centers. Becky Barrios of Panaghiusa Alang Sa Kaugalingnan Ug Kalingkawasan, Inc. (PASAKK) detailed that their community schools were able to teach 4,192 schoolchildren from 1994 to present. Out of this number, four (4) are already graduates of four-year courses and thirteen (13) got to finish two-year courses. Rande Bayate of Silingang Dapit sa Sidlakang Mindanao (SILDAP) posited that 1,566 indigenous children benefitted from similar community schools built by their organization.

Consequently, Timuay Labi Leticio Datuwata of Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) called for improved teaching facilities and adequate, regular teachers in the different community learning schools in Maguindanao, if possible hiring teachers of indigenous descent. Other indigenous leaders requested for a more streamlined process in securing various permits and requirements as they explained the far distance of their communities from the metropolis where relevant government line offices were located. They called for an accessible way for indigenous youth to secure a National Certificate (NC) II, a Certificate of Competency (COC) provided by TESDA especially for relevant, timely skills like driving, among others.

"Ang mga scholarships na para sa mga katutubo ay dapat ibigay sa kanila (Scholarship grants for indigenous peoples must be rightly accorded to them)," asserted Jennevie Cornelio of TJG as she asked the NCIP to provide the said grants to its rightful recipients, the indigenous youth. In addition, Zenia Madino of Naundep ni Napahnuhan ni Kalanguya (NNK) spoke of the importance of the schools of living tradition (SLT) and the need to further sustain their existence as elders get to transmit their indigenous knowledge systems and practices through these centers.

 Zenia Madino of Naundep ni Napahnuhan ni Kalanguya (NNK)

Hany Love Sawit, a young representative of Manobo Lumadnong Panaghiusa (MALUPA), shared about the prevalent discrimination experienced by indigenous youth in mainstream schools. “Ito po ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit nawawalan ng kumpyansa [sa kanilang sarili] lalo na sa pagpasok sa eskwelahan, maging sa trabaho, ang mga katutubong kabataan (This is a reason why many indigenous youths lose their self-confidence especially in school or even at work), Sawit said. “Sana po ay maiparamdam naman sa mga kabataang katutubo na kabilang at karapat-dapat din sila tulad ng iba (It is essential to make the indigenous youth feel accepted and respected just like everyone else), she added.

"Ang mga community-based initiatives ay malaking tulong sa pag-improve ng language variation efforts ng DepED (These community-based initiatives are a big help to the improvement of the language variation efforts of the DepEd)," pointed out Marie Lourie Victor of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) under DepEd. She commended the indigenous leaders for their efforts towards the creation of their own orthographies, specifically those of the Erumanen ne Menuvu and Mandaya people, as she agreed that education can be made further effective when it is culturally appropriate. "The language diversity is a challenge in the country. The approach should really be different and [context-] specific," Victor added.

Marie Lourie Victor of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) under DepEd

“We are very thankful for the robust participation of the different national agencies and indigenous peoples’ organizations in these series of dialogues as we all strive to fulfill our mission of achieving inclusive and sustainable peace as well as appropriate and adequate development for indigenous peoples,” mentioned Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tebtebba Executive Director, in her opening remarks for the dialogue. Like many of the event’s participants, she also stressed the importance of providing quality and culturally appropriate education.

Likewise, Tauli-Corpuz pointed out the necessity of including and perpetuating indigenous languages. “In line with UNESCO’s declaration of 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages and this year’s preparation for the Decade of Indigenous Languages [on 2022-2032], it is crucial to look into how indigenous languages are integrated into the different programs work,” she said.

“Sa pagdalo sa mga dayalogo na ito, mas nabubuksan ang aming isipan hindi lamang sa pagtutok sa mga polisiya ng gobyerno kundi sa mga usapin na nanggagaling po mismo sa mga organisasyon tulad ng Tebtebba at mga kapatid na mga katutubo na nanggagaling pa po mula sa mga malalayong parte ng Pilipinas (Through these dialogues, our minds are opened further, not only on focusing on the different government policies but also on the different discussions directly from organizations like Tebtebba and our indigenous brothers and sisters who are located in various far-flung areas in the Philippines),” shared Pablo de Castro, Chief of the Local Government Relations Division under the Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Similarly, Jesus Nathaniel Gonzales of the Department of Finance (DOF), representing the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) commented, “Andito kami upang makinig sa mga hinaing ng mga indigenous peoples… sana ang mga problema ay matugunan na ng iba’t ibang ahensya at ng IGRB (We are here to listen to the issues and concerns of the indigenous peoples... We hope that these problems get resolved by the different government agencies and the IGRB).”

The Dayalogo series is a Tebtebba initiative that aims to assist sustained, collaborative, and constructive dialogues between Philippine indigenous peoples and various government agencies towards a better implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was made possible through the assistance of the European Union through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative, and the Pawanka Fund.

“It is ironic and sad that while we live in the Agusan Marsh, we do not have supply of clean, potable water.”

Becky Barrios, representative of Panaghiusa Alang Sa Kaugalingnan Ug Kalingkawasan, Inc. (PASAKK) narrated the plight of her people in the Agusan Marsh community, saying that even before the pandemic, many of the community’s fisherfolk were already dying from water-borne diseases like stomach ache, vomiting of blood, diarrhea, and difficulty in breathing.

Becky Barrios, PASAKK

“Kaya sa tingin namin, totoo ang naging research ng Caraga State University (CSU) na mataas na ang [lebel ng] mercury at cyanide, na sanhi ng water pollution, na nakikita na ito sa mudfish at iba pang isda na nakukuha sa Agusan Marsh (That’s why, for us, there may be truth to the CSU research results stating high levels of mercury and cyanide, causing pollution [in the Marsh], that is also seen in the mudfish and other fishes caught from the Agusan Marsh),” Barrios shared. She called for the need to do sampling and mass testing of the Agusan Marsh water and the crucial necessity of providing the community with clean, potable water.

Through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative Philippines, the Dayalogo 3, Health and Basic Services: "Addressing Indigenous Peoples' Needs and Priorities during COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Recovery," happened virtually on 21 January 2021, via Zoom Meeting. One hundred and ninety-four (194) participants from various indigenous peoples’ and civil society support organizations and representatives of national government line agencies, namely the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) joined the meeting. The said dialogue was livestreamed via Tebtebba’s Facebook page, as well.

“We in the government, especially in the NCIP, are always on the side of sharing the narrative of our indigenous brothers and sisters,” stressed Allen Capuyan, Chairman of the NCIP, as he graced the meeting with a comprehensive presentation of the different goals and activities of the Commission.

Allen Capuyan, Chaimran of the NCIP

“Anything that would help uplift the lives of indigenous peoples is the NCIP’s concern. We are most willing to collaborate and to cooperate, whatever needs to be done,” added Rogelio Francisco ‘Jing’ Bantayan, Jr., Executive Director of the NCIP.

Several indigenous leaders also explained the diverging impacts of COVID-19 in their communities especially pertaining to food security, mental and spiritual well-being, and their difficulty in accessing various health and social services. Others mentioned the dramatic, increased prevalence of cases of violence against women and children that took place due to the extended lockdowns that ordered people to stay indoors to curb COVID-19 transmission. The occurrence of armed conflict, as is happening in South Upi and Upi in Maguindanao, which exacerbates the impacts of quarantine measures in the indigenous communities, is taking its toll on hundreds of families, especially women, senior citizens, persons with disability, and children, who are exposed to the elements and the lack of basic needs to combat the spread of COVID-19, and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. 

Nevertheless, some also pointed out the positive effects of the said lockdowns. “Dahil sa pandemya, nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga katutubo na suriin ang totoong kalagayan ng kanilang sariling pamayanan lalo na sa pagtugon [sa kanilang pangunahing pangangailangan] (Because of the pandemic, indigenous peoples had the opportunity to assess their honest conditions in their own communities, especially in responding to their health and other basic needs),” Timuey Ronaldo ‘Jojo’ Ambangan of the Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal shared.

Timuey Ronaldo ‘Jojo’ Ambangan, Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal

“Dahil sa pandemya, mas napayaman at malalimang nasuri ng pamayanan ang kanilang kakayahan lalo na sa pagtugon ng mga pangangailangan maging sa kabuhayan at kalusugan (Because of the pandemic, the indigenous community was able to enrich and deeply assess their capacity especially in the fulfillment of their needs including those of livelihood and well-being), Ambangan continued.

“Sana ay ikonsidera ang tradisyunal na kaalaman at pamamahala (We call for the recognition of traditional knowledge and customary governance), stressed Reynaldo Rodriguez, member of Samahan ng Katutubong Tagbanuang Tangdulanen sa Binga, Inc. (SAKATTABI) and San Vicente Municipal Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), as he spoke about the difficulty experienced by indigenous peoples who had to travel long distances just to reach the nearest health care or maternity care facility in Palawan. He added that this concern of indigenous peoples became more difficult with the COVID-19 restrictions.

“Primary health care issues of indigenous peoples are mainly because many of them live in remote areas that are not easily reached by health professionals. It is essential to address health services in a culturally-appropriate manner,” explained Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tebtebba Executive Director, as she gave her opening remarks during the said Dayalogo.

The Dayalogo series is a Tebtebba initiative that aims to assist sustained, collaborative, and constructive dialogues between Philippine indigenous peoples and various government agencies towards a better implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was made possible through the assistance of the European Union through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative, and the Pawanka Fund.

“Increasingly, our frontlines were not growing young, and these struggles are intergenerational. Therefore, we need to make sure the spontaneity of these struggles, that we have a channeling, a reproduction of competent, well trained, knowledgeable, exposed, next generation leaders who will keep this fire burning to ensure these rights are respected and promoted.”

Stanley Kimaren Riamit, Executive Director of Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) in Narok, Kenya, motivated young indigenous leaders and advocates who are participating in the ongoing virtual training on policy advocacy in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that started on January 19, 2021.

After the training, participants are expected to be equipped with a clear understanding of their rights and skills to undertake sustained advocacy with their governments and in key global processes, as well as lead in initiatives and actions that help strengthen and develop their communities and organizations.

Participants in the said training come from different regions of the world. They are nominated and selected through the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), ELATIA (Indigenous Peoples’ Global Partnership on Climate Change, Forests and Sustainable Development), Nia Tero, and the Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (AIWN).

The team of trainers, composed of Joji Cariño, Viviana Figueroa, Jennifer Corpuz, and Aslak Holmberg, are renowned indigenous experts who have been engaging in the UN CBD for years. They are being assisted by young indigenous leaders who also have experiences in engaging the UN CBD processes.

The training is jointly being implemented by the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples Training Institute and ILEPA with support from Nia Tero and Bread for the World.

“The revival, strengthening, as well as the government’s support and recognition of the sulagad system of livelihood make way for added food security and environmental protection.”

Santos Unsad, Titay Bleyen (Assistant to the Supreme Chieftain) of the Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) organization shared the benefits of the sulagad system, a Teduray and Lambangian indigenous livelihood practice, that is both environment-friendly and sustainable. He pointed out that the said custom rejects the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides which, then, preserves the fertility of the soil. 

Through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative Philippines, the Dayalogo 2, entitled “Indigenous Peoples and the Protection and Sustainable Management of our Environment,” took place on 14 January 2021, 9AM to 12NN, via Zoom Meeting.  One hundred sixty-six (166) participants from different indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities, and representatives from several national government agencies (NGAs) in the Philippines, namely the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Finance (DOF) on behalf of the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), joined the second event in the Dayalogo series of Tebtebba.

The representatives of indigenous communities discussed their different issues on the safeguarding of their ancestral domain and its surrounding environs. These concerns included the presence of oil palm plantations, the non-recognition of traditional farming practices, the conflicting political boundaries involving forest reserves, and the insufficient indigenous peoples’ representation in the management of critical environmental systems, including marine-protected areas, among others.

Several speakers also shared their indigenous knowledge systems and practices such as the sulagad system and pag-uuma (swidden farming). They explained the reasons for these indigenous practices as well as the need to sustain, revive, and strengthen their usage.  Others called for support in developing their own three-dimensional (3D) maps. These maps have been useful in defending their territories and resolving boundary conflicts.

“Ang tradisyunal na uma o kaingin ng mga katutubo ng Palawan ay siyang pangunahing pinagkukunan ng pagkain—bigas at samu’t saring gulay at prutas. Ito ay isang sagradong bagay na hindi pwedeng walain dahil ito ay bahagi na ng aming kultura. Hindi sumisira sa ating kalikasan ang pag-uuma dahil may mga pamamaraan upang tukuyin ang mga lupa na pwedeng umahin at hindi. (The traditional swidden farm among the indigenous peoples of Palawan is their primary source of food—rice and various vegetables and fruits. This is a sacred custom that should not be abandoned because it is part of our culture. Swidden farming does not damage our environment because there are processes to indicate which lands can be used and not for this practice),” John Mart Salunday of Nagkakaisang mga Tribu ng Palawan stressed as he discussed the relevance of swidden farming, an agricultural system that is customarily used by indigenous peoples in Palawan and other parts of the Philippines.

“It is highly essential for indigenous peoples and the government to have these dialogues so that concerns are resolved and best practices are shared continuously,” Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tebtebba Executive Director, stressed during her opening remarks for the said event. She also thanked the different government agencies, headed by the NCIP, for supporting and attending these discourses.

Similarly, NCIP Commissioner for the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Region 1 Gaspar Cayat shared that he supports Tauli-Corpuz’ call for sustained, collaborative dialogues between the different indigenous peoples’ organizations and the government. “The NCIP and other government agencies are one with you (in this continuous Dayalogo series),” Cayat said.

The Dayalogo series is a Tebtebba initiative that aims to assist sustained, collaborative, and constructive dialogues between Philippine indigenous peoples and various government agencies towards the better implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was made possible through the assistance of the European Union, SwedBio and the Pawanka Fund.