Gov't develops national plan to protect IPs, ancestral domains
Malacañang said the government has started developing a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, focusing on protecting indigenous peoples (IPs) and their ancestral domains.
Indigenous groups and advocates commemorated the International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Large Dams through a protest in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, on March 14, 2024. (Mark Balmores)
The Palace said the initiative supports President Marcos' commitment to human rights and inclusive development, as highlighted in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Executive Director and Undersecretary Severo Catura underscored the importance of justice, unity, and respect for IPs in shaping national policies.
A maiden workshop was held on July 15 as part of the work to form a national action plan.
It brought together over 50 representatives from 25 government agencies involved in indigenous rights, business regulation, and sustainable development.
During the workshop, Judge Jesus Torres, former head of the Commission on Human Rights Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Center, highlighted international frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, outlining the state’s duty to protect, the responsibility of businesses to respect rights, and the right of individuals to access remedies.
A second workshop is set to gather input from Indigenous communities, civil society, and the private sector.
A technical working group led by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) will then draft a preliminary version of the plan for further review.
The national action plan is part of the Philippine Human Rights Plan 2024–2028 which aims to safeguard Indigenous rights and cultural heritage amid expanding business activities.