Tribal leaders and human rights activists call for a stop to land use conversions in the Philippines during a conference in Manila on May 4. (Photo by Mark Saludes)
Tribal groups from around the Philippines have drafted "policy proposals" that aim to address continuing threats to their ancestral lands.
The policy papers are the result of a two-day conference of indigenous peoples in Manila where they voiced their concerns.
Among policy proposals discussed were the right of tribal people to determine their own development; ancestral domains as the "nexus of indigenous peoples' survival"; protection of indigenous knowledge systems; and food security and food sufficiency as essential conditions for the survival of indigenous peoples.
"We hope that these recommendations would be considered by concerned agencies in their policies and programs," said Jill Carino of the Task Force for Indigenous Peoples' Rights.
Among the issues raised during the meeting was the changing land use policy of the government that has "deeply and adversely affected tribes."
Minda Dalinan, spokeswoman of a tribal organization from the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, said thousands of tribal people have been displaced by mining operations in the region.
The conference also noted a lack of basic social services in rural areas.
"Indigenous communities have been neglected and denied of basic services," said Luz Brozula of the non-government Integrated Development Program for the Indigenous People.
The meeting noted that many existing laws "endanger the land and livelihood" of tribal communities.
Dalinan cited the country's Mining Act that allows the "intrusion of large-scale mining exploration and operations" in ancestral lands.