Indigenous Peoples ‘pillars of nation’

Senator Loren Legarda paid tribute to the nation’s indigenous peoples as the country observes Indigenous Peoples Month this October, highlighting their crucial role in the Philippines’ culture, identity and sustainable development.

“The Philippines is home to scores of ethno-linguistic groups, many of which have maintained their unique pre-colonial cultures and practices,” Legarda said. “This is not a mere point of pride, but it represents a wealth of knowledge we can depend on for the future.”

The senator, who is the principal author of the law declaring 9 August as National Indigenous Peoples Day, stressed that indigenous communities remain the “bedrock of our nation,” having laid the foundation for many Filipino traditions.

However, Legarda cited that these communities continue to face significant challenges, including threats to their ancestral domain from commercial entities, the worsening impacts of climate change and the erosion of traditions due to globalization.

“True nation-building means celebrating and learning from the traditions of our Indigenous Peoples, and ensuring that their communities are safe, thriving, and respected,” Legarda said. She stressed the importance of integrating time-tested indigenous knowledge systems into national strategies on climate change adaptation, food security and biodiversity conservation.    

Legarda has long championed legislation to empower indigenous communities. She is the principal author of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and the Cultural Mapping Law, which mandates local governments to document and safeguard their cultural wealth.

She has also supported Schools of Living Traditions, which teach indigenous methods for manufacturing things such as textiles. As principal author and co-sponsor of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, Legarda advanced the use of local textiles for official government uniforms, helping preserve indigenous weaving traditions and promote local livelihoods.