Vice President Sara Duterte underscored the need for the country to pursuit inclusive growth where the rights of indigenous people are protected and recognized.

In her message for the Indigenous Peoples Month on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Vice President gave tribute to the indigenous people and their roles in protecting the environment, enriching the country’s culture, and cultivating knowledge.

“Ang kanilang pamana ng dunong at tradisyon ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng lakas at pagkakakilanlan sa atin bilang mga Pilipino — patunay ng kanilang matibay na paninindigan at pagmamahal sa lupang ninuno at sa kinabukasan ng susunod pang salinlahi (Their heritage of knowledge and tradition continue to give us strength and identity as Filipinos—proving that their strong conviction and love for the ancestral land and the future of our race),” she said.

“Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang makatarungan at inklusibong pag-unlad kung saan ang bawat Katutubong Pilipino ay nabubuhay nang may dangal, kalayaan, at sapat na suporta para sa pamahalaan at komunidad (Together, let stand up for a just and inclusive growth where every indigenous Filipino lives with integrity, freedom, and support for their governance and community),” she added.

This year also marks the 28th year of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) recognizes and protects the rights of IPs and Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).

It established the four main bundles of IP rights: Ancestral Domains, Self-Governance and Empowerment, Social Justice and Human Rights, and Cultural Integrity.

The law also created the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to implement and promote IP rights.

“Nawa’y patuloy nating pahalagahan, pangalagaan, at parangalan ang kanilang mga karapatan at kultura (May we continue to give importance protect, and recognize their rights and culture),” Duterte said.