ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PRESENTED BY:

GILBERT A. DELOS SANTOS

 Indigenous
People
Mandatory
Representative
BRIEF BACKGROUND:
Section 10, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall promote social justice

in all phases of national development.

Section 17, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution also provides that the State shall recognize,

respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures,

traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

To carry out this policy of the State, Sec. 16 of RA 8371 specifically provides that, IPs shall have the right

to participate fully, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their

rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their

own indigenous political structures. Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs shall be given

mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils. These inherent

rights of ICCs/IPs shall be provided mandatory representation in all policymaking bodies and in local

legislative councils. ICCs/IPs representation shall be proportionate to their population, and shall have the

same privileges as the regular members of the legislative bodies and/or policy making bodies.
How Indigenous People Mandatory

Representative (IPMR),indirectly and directly

contribute to Environmental Management?

Indigenous People Mandatory Representative
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
CONTRIBUTION:
1.) IP AGENDA RELATING TO
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:
• Stop land grabbing of indigenous peoples’ lands
including new forms of land grabbing, e.g., using
priority and usufruct rights to privatize and
commercialize indigenous lands; and
implementation of renewable energy projects,
without indigenous peoples’ free, prior and
informed consent. Review and revoke agreements
with private entities and particularly those
unjustly titled by non-indigenous entities.
• Protect and promote sustainable
agriculture, agro-forestry and diverse
indigenous food production systems in
indigenous peoples’ territories to ensure
food security/sovereignty of indigenous
peoples.
• Ensure the protection of the rights of
indigenous peoples in eco-tourism and
other related projects and initiatives.
• Study and develop, jointly with indigenous
peoples, programmes for Payment for
Environmental Services (PES) and ensure
that indigenous peoples benefit directly
from royalty payments from projects
depending on environmental services
from indigenous forests and lands. Ensure
that these payments are used for
programmes, which support the collective
well-being of indigenous peoples.
2.) SPONSOR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AND CONDUCT COMMITTEE HEARINGS
RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:
IPMRs being the voice of the Ips communities in
decision-making processes that might affect the
communities and the environment. She can
participate in policy-making, planning, and
implementation of environmental management
programs. Through her participation, IPMRs helps
to ensure that the concerns and perspectives of Ip
communities are taken into account in
environmental decision-making.
3.) IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

IPMRs as a government leader has

responsibility to see to it that every
environmental management programs are
implemented in the Ips communities. She
has an impact and trust of the
communities, hence, any environmental
management programs can be easily
implemented in the Ips communities by her.
4.) PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES:
Indigenous communities often possess unique
knowledge and practices that have been passed
down through generations. These practices
include traditional land use, natural resource
management, and conservation techniques.
IPMRs, as representatives of their communities,
can help to preserve and promote these practices,
which can have a positive impact on the
environment.
5.) Resource Management:
IPMRs directly contribute to environmental
management by working with her communities to
manage natural resources sustainably. This
includes managing forests, fisheries, and other
resources to ensure their long-term health and
productivity.
6.) Conservation:
IPMRs has a respect of her communities, hence,
she can also contribute to conservation efforts by
working with their communities to protect
important natural areas and wildlife habitats. This
can include setting aside protected areas,
monitoring wildlife populations, and
implementing sustainable hunting and fishing
practices.
7.) Environmental Education:
IPMRs plays an important role in environmental
education. She can work with her communities to
raise awareness about environmental issues and
promote sustainable practices. This can help to
build a culture of environmental stewardship
within indigenous communities and beyond.
• Overall, IPMRs can contribute to
environmental management in a variety of
ways. By preserving traditional knowledge and
practices, participating in decision-making,
managing resources sustainably, promoting
conservation efforts, and educating their
communities, IPMRs can help to protect the
environment and promote sustainable
development.
Thank you for listening!!

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
FEBRUARY 25, 2023