MANILA – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) highlighted the need to protect the autonomy and dignity of Indigenous Peoples (IP) who choose to live in voluntary isolation, as well as those who are just beginning to engage with the outside world.
At the commemoration of the National Indigenous Peoples Day and the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in Quezon City on Friday, NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las underscored this year’s theme, “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,” which she said is a shared responsibility for all sectors of society.
She said that IP who live in voluntary isolation or the initial stages of contact with the outside world represent a vulnerable segment of the global community.
The decision to remain isolated is a fundamental right that must be respected, protected and shielded from external threats, she added.
“These communities chose it as a means to protect their way of life, their languages, and their traditions. They embody the profound connections to the environment and put invaluable knowledge about sustainable living and environmental stewardship,” Sibug-las said.
The NCIP also launched the “Handbook on Carbon Trading for Ancestral Domains: Policies, Project Development, Standards and Safeguards” in partnership with the Forest Foundation Philippines and the NCIP Hotline to swiftly address the needs of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
The hotline serves as a mechanism for information dissemination and connects ICCs/IPs to various government agencies and institutions capable of providing immediate assistance to their concerns.
The NCIP may be reached at landline +632 8928 6247 or mobile numbers 0927-0011168 (Globe) and 0962-3986640 (Smart) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. (PNA)