Legarda stresses importance of indigenous communities in environmental preservation

Senator Loren Legarda emphasized anew the importance of indigenous communities in the very survival of the Philippine ecosystem.

During her privilege speech delivered on the occasion of National Indigenous Peoples Day on August 12, Legarda reiterated the importance of the indigenous knowledge of these communities due to their centuries’ worth of expertise in the land that they reside on.

“Ang ating mga katutubo ang nagsisilbing unang hanay ng tagapagpanatili at tagapagpangalaga ng ating kapaligiran at kalikasan,” Legarda said.

“Mahalagang ating kilalanin, na para sa ating mga katutubong pamayanan, karugtong ng buhay ang lupang sinilangan. Hindi lamang natin dapat pahalagahan ang kanilang karapatan para sa kanilang kagalingan, kundi para sa pangkalahatang kapakanan ng ating bayan,” she added.

“Sa loob ng maraming siglo, sila ang nagsisilbing tagapangalaga ng ating likas na yaman at tayo ay umaasa sa kanilang kaalaman at kasanayan upang mamuhay nang malapit sa kalikasan.”

The four-term senator highlighted an alarming report recently published by the World Bank, titled “No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines.”

One critical finding from the report is data from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), which estimates that the country has approximately 1,530 ancestral domains covering nearly 26 million hectares, representing about 44% of all land in the Philippines.

However, only 257, or a mere 17%, have approved Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles or CADTs, and of these, only 22% are fully registered.

She also stated that the estimated ecosystem value of ancestral domains with forest resources stands at around Php1.1 trillion, including carbon capture, water provisioning, soil conservation, and non-timber forest productivity.

“We must actively support and elevate our indigenous communities, recognize their invaluable contributions, and uphold their rights,” asserted the veteran lawmaker.

“The resources we dedicate to this cause should not be viewed as mere assistance but as valuable and strategic investments for them and ourselves,” she continued.

“It is an investment in indigenous knowledge that safeguards our natural resources, an investment in preserving our forests, the purity of our waters, and the richness of our biodiversity.”

Legarda is the principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 10689, which declared August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. (30)
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Iginiit muli ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang kahalagahan ng indigenous communities upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ecosystem ng Pilipinas.

Idiniin ni Legarda sa kaniyang privilege speech sa paggunita sa National Indigenous Peoples Day noong Agosto 12 ang napakahalagang kaalaman ng mga naturang komunidad dahil sa kanilang siglo ng karanasan sa kanilang lupang tinitirhan.

“Ang ating mga katutubo ang nagsisilbing unang hanay ng tagapagpanatili at tagapagpangalaga ng ating kapaligiran at kalikasan,” giit ng senadora.

“Mahalagang ating kilalanin, na para sa ating mga katutubong pamayanan, karugtong ng kanilang buhay ang lupang sinilangan. Hindi lamang natin dapat pahalagahan ang kanilang karapatan para sa kanilang kagalingan, kundi para sa pangkalahatang kapakanan ng ating bayan,” dagdag niya.

“Sa loob ng maraming siglo, sila ang nagsisilbing tagapangalaga ng ating likas na yaman at tayo ay umaasa sa kanilang kaalaman at kasanayan upang mamuhay nang malapit sa kalikasan.”

Binanggit ni Legarda ang isang nakababahalang ulat na inilabas kamakailan ng World Bank, na pinamagatang “No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines.”

Ayon sa datos mula sa National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), may tayang 1,530 ancestral domains na sumasaklaw sa halos 26 na milyong hektarya na kumakatawan sa 44% ng lupain sa Pilipinas.

Gayunpaman, tanging 257 lamang, o 17%, ang may aprubadong Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles o CADTs, at sa mga ito, 22% lamang ang kumpletong nakarehistro.

“We must actively support and elevate our indigenous communities, recognize their invaluable contributions, and uphold their rights,” saad ng mambabatas.

“The resources we dedicate to this cause should not be viewed as mere assistance but as valuable and strategic investments for them and ourselves,” dagdag niya.

“It is an investment in indigenous knowledge that safeguards our natural resources, an investment in preserving our forests, the purity of our waters, and the richness of our biodiversity.”

Si Legarda ang pangunahing sponsor ng Republic Act No. 10689, na nagdeklara sa Agosto 9 bilang taunang National Indigenous Peoples Day. (30)