World Indigenous Peoples Day in Baguio City
August 8, 2016
The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) is pleased to invite the public to a simple program celebrating our identity and culture as indigenous peoples of the Cordillera on August 9, 2016 from 9AM to 12 NN at the Igorot Park. The event is part of the global commemoration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1994.
The program is co-organised with the Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK), Cordillera Elders Alliance (CEA) and the CPA chapter in Baguio City, Tongtongan ti Umili. Cultural presentations and messages of solidarity are lined up by guests invited, including members of the City Council, indigenous peoples’ organisations and advocates. Leaders from The public is invited to join the celebration, and is enjoined the come in their indigenous attire. A parade kicks off at 9AM at the Post Office Park to mark the celebration.
The activity is also inspired by the call for genuine change across the country, therefore serving as a forum to impart the Indigenous Peoples Agenda. The Agenda was crafted by indigenous peoples across the country through KATRIBU national indigenous peoples alliance. It contains urgent and long-term issues being raised by indigenous communities for redress under the Duterte Administration. Some of the IP Agenda’s main points include the resumption of the peace talks between Philippine government with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), genuine recognition of indigenous peoples’ right to ancestral land and self-determination, a stop to the plunder of resources in indigenous territories, sufficient and appropriate basic social services and support for victims of disasters. A complete version of the Agenda (in Filipino) is annexed to this press release, for information and guidance.
CPA actively participated in processes leading to the crafting of the IP Agenda, including the National People’s Summit for Genuine Change and submission of the National People’s Agenda to Pres. Duterte after his inauguration followed by a short meeting. The Indigenous Peoples Agenda will be submitted separately to Malacañang on August 8, through the initiative of KATRIBU. Particular urgent and long term concerns of indigenous peoples of the Cordillera is articulated in the said agenda.
PA has also slated other activities for the whole month of August, also in commemoration of World IP Day, such as its Regional Council Meeting on August 9-10, Elders Workshop on Autonomy in partnership with the Regional Development Council-CAR through NEDA-CAR and the CAR Association of State Universities and Colleges (CARASUC) in August 29-30, and on August 31, a Cordillera Multistakeholders Consultation on Autonomy and Federalism, also in partnership with RDC-NEDA, CARASUC and UP Baguio. Both events will be hosted by the Benguet State University (BSU). ***