On 12 December 2011, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for the Philippines organized a ‘Thematic Year-End Reception, Media Recognition and UN Photo Exhibition’ featuring development initiatives and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. The event was held in the context of the implementation of the The Indigenous Peoples Development Programme (IPDP): Caraga Region which is based in the Caraga Region of northeastern Mindanao.

It was highlighted by the ILO recognition of Journalists who have featured various positive development concerns of the indigenous peoples through print, radio, TV and on-line media.

In the same event, the ILO’s partners among the indigenous communities in Lake Sebu and in the Caraga Region exhibited two of their most significant income and (self) employment generation initiatives – the production of Tnalak cloth by the “dream weavers” of the Tboli tribe in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and Sago Palm Flour by the Manobo tribe in Veruela, Agusan del Sur.

A Photo Exhibition was also held showing the initiatives and partnerships of United Nations (UN) agencies in the Philippines with the indigenous peoples along various themes such as poverty reduction, education, health and social dialogue.

The occasion additionally presented an IPDP-Caraga video documentary entitled “Unlocking Potential, Restoring Dignity” which featured what could be the first corporation organized by indigenous peoples in the Philippines - the Kayumbyahan Sago Manobo Corporation (KASAMACOR).

Over 200 guests from government, international and United Nations agencies, civil society and indigenous communities attended the event. On hand to grace the occasion and witness the media awards were Ms Viel Aquino-Dee, the sister of the Philippine President who is active in indigenous peoples development, Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Senator Loren Legarda of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Climate Change, Dr Jacqueline Badcock, UN Resident Coordinator and Chairperson Zenaida Brigida Pawid of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Ambassadors from donor countries and officials of the employers and workers organizations were also present.

Secretary Baldoz delivered a message of President Aquino with the information that DOLE has created a Technical Working Group (TWG) to study the ratification of ILO Convention No. 169 or the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention. The TWG is set to engage in dialogue with key stakeholders and review existing laws related to indigenous people, particularly those that refer to ancestral domain issues. These concerns are crucial to the country’s preparedness to ratify ILO Convention 169.

The Government of Spain and the Embassy of Finland in the Philippines support the ILO’s Indigenous Peoples Development Programme.

For further information please contact:

Mr Domingo Nayahangan
CO-Manila
19th Floor Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue
1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel: +632 580 9900
Email