READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Academic Year 2021-2022

Critique Paper entitled Indigenous Peoples in

the Philippines A Country Case
Alleah Joy A. Jaucian
AB Political Science

A case study entitled Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines A Country Case Study
presented by David E. De Vera in 2007 covers the indigenous people's experience. The ancient
occupants, the stewards of our planet, were always present. For generations, they lived in
connection with nature on their ancestral property. Based on De Vera's study, 112 ethnolinguistic
groups in the country comprise nearly 15% of the country's total population. Each has its own
unique customs, history, traditional knowledge, and abilities. Nonetheless, these indigenous
people are among the most vulnerable and impoverished individuals. This article will discuss
three concerns or obstacles that indigenous peoples face today. It will include critical analysis
and evaluation of the actual state of our indigenous brothers and sisters in the Philippines. This
report intended to act as a wake-up call to the public, particularly the government, about the
persecution and marginalization of indigenous people.

In the case study presented, our Indigenous people had trouble obtaining their rights
to tenure and protecting their areas. Notably, the Tagbanwa and Ikalahan Indigenous tribes
seek to recognize their tenure rights in the Philippines' ancestral property, situated on Coron
Island, Northern Palawan, and Sta. Nueva Viscaya. These are situations that continue to occur
because, despite the fact that we have Republic Act 8371, also known as the Indigenous Peoples'
Rights Act (IPRA), enacted in 1997 that should be realized and maximized by indigenous
people, indigenous peoples' rights are habitually neglected. To substantiate this accusation, an
Indigenous leader, Jimmy Liguyon, was assassinated on March 5, 2012, in San Fernando,
Bukidnon, according to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). Jimmy
fought against the arrival of a large-scale mining operation that endangered the small-scale
mining activity that is his town's principal source of revenue. Indeed, indigenous groups'
traditional territories are inextricably linked to their political, economic, and social-cultural
existence in these areas. Nonetheless, the government often undervalues and ignores Indigenous
peoples' abilities to care for and develop the land. Despite the wealth of natural resources, their
sovereignty and authority over these territories are often overlooked. Furthermore, this
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Academic Year 2021-2022

demonstrates the absence of necessary and efficient security protocols for indigenous peoples
who strive to preserve their people's rights and interests. These Indigenous people should not
have to suffer and fight for their lands since it is their land in the first place.

Align with the case study showcasing indigenous people's issues, one of which is the
issue of empowering these people. Indigenous people face illiteracy, unemployment, and high
rates of poverty. Their settlements are rural, without access to essential amenities, and have a
high sickness, mortality, and malnutrition rate. According to the United Nations, indigenous
tribes account for up to 33% of all individuals living in severe rural poverty worldwide. Looking
into the mountains or bodies of water is a common way for indigenous people to make the most
of the inadequate resources available to them. Additionally, there is a scarcity of data about
indigenous peoples' health and socioeconomic problems and a scarcity of information, analysis,
and evaluation of programs and services to address these challenges. Furthermore, Indigenous
people have less access to and worse quality education than other groups. According to the
research of Eduardo and Gabriel (2021), the Philippine historical accounts show that Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) in the Philippines have long been suffering from discrimination and lack of access
to Education. This statement is supported by Ronal Mordeno, KASAMACOR's Operations
Manager, "we have awful living circumstances. An Indigenous person was seen as
disempowered, unable to progress in life." Indigenous peoples have been dealing with these
issues for millennia, yet little to no progress has been made. Indigenous peoples should be one of
the government's main priorities since they have trouble accessing government benefits. There is
a lack of a plethora of projects that will address the basics while also shaping future generations
to be better and more adaptable to the modern environment. The indigenous peoples and the
government should collaborate to improve the IP's standard of life.

Finally, the indigenous people have had a tremendous influence on the country's
environment as a result of the ongoing desire for land and access to natural resources to
sustain internal demand and western economies. This is primarily due to multiple migrations
occurring over time. Given this difficulty, non-indigenous people are beginning to invest in
lands, including traditional areas, since land is scarce in cities, and they understand what natural
resources may provide. As per the case study, the Philippines' forest cover has dropped at an
uncontrolled pace over the last five decades, with 2/3 of the country's forest cover being chopped
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Academic Year 2021-2022

down. This continues to occur because, whereas indigenous people see the environment as a
source of life, some non-indigenous people regard the environment as a source of profit.
According to MONGABAY News, Palawan indigenous community leader Simpio Mata has been
appalled by the sight of downed trees. Locals are concerned about the illegal logging and what
they feel the action may signal: a resurrection of mining ambitions in the region, which the
Palawan have been battling for decades. If the current trend continues, forest degradation will
skyrocket. This is also a critical problem in the context of climate change. Most significantly, the
indigenous people's identity, which is their land, which they have fought for many years, maybe
taken away from everyone, particularly them.

The comprehensive case study is concise and complete, where the authors highlight every
relevant element. It is evident that the author conducted an in-depth analysis and evaluation of
the topics. And impartial in giving information and discussing the underlying conditions of
indigenous peoples and government initiatives. His statements are substantiated by facts and
credible sources, making his research more reasonable and accurate. Furthermore, I appreciate
how he presents the issue and divides each notion into parts. Lastly, he discusses issues that lack
the limelight to the public yet should be addressed. This case draws the public's attention and
informs readers about the indigenous people's situations back then to relate to ongoing
occurrences.

Finally, with all of the Indigenous Peoples' hardships, everyone is held responsible. The
government should continue to secure tenure rights to traditional territory and defend the human
rights of indigenous groups. We must put an end to the struggle of indigenous peoples in the
marginalized sector and begin to improve their standard of living. We may establish scholarship
programs to assist their education, citing the fact that they continue to face persecution as a result
of their lack of knowledge about their rights. Also, they need health assistance to maintain their
wellbeing. Let us help them become literate and shape future generations to be progressive.
Finally, one of the government's priorities should be developing and nurturing natural resources.
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Academic Year 2021-2022

Bibliography

Illegal logging in Philippines' Palawan stokes fears of a mining resurgence. Mongabay

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ILOTV. (2019, August 9). Protecting indigenous peoples' rights in the Philippines. YouTube.
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Jesster P. Eduardo, A. G. G. (n.d.). Indigenous peoples and the right to education: The Dumagat
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Analysis of key drivers of deforestation and forest ... (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2021, from
https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2013-en-key-drivers-deforestation-forest-
degradation-philippines.pdf

Toolmaster.dk. (n.d.). Philippines: Obstacles concerning access to justice and protection for
Indigenous People. IWGIA. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from
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