In a significant move to bolster the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Bangsamoro region, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Bangsamoro’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) have formalized a memorandum of agreement (MOA). This development was announced by Carlito Galvez Jr., the Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), who emphasized the agreement’s role in enhancing cooperation and protection for IPs.
Galvez highlighted that the MOA is a crucial step towards ensuring the rights of IPs are championed and protected. He reiterated OPAPRU’s commitment to initiatives that promote peace, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive development across the Bangsamoro region. Galvez stressed the importance of a collective approach to peace, stating that OPAPRU’s efforts are designed to be inclusive and beneficial to all.
The agreement, signed on February 10, is intended to address the pressing issues faced by IPs and indigenous cultural communities in the region. Facilitated by the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), the MOA seeks to safeguard the rights of IPs, enhance their welfare, and empower them against new challenges.
This MOA comes after the expiration of a previous memorandum of cooperation between NCIP and MIPA in November 2024. The IGRB, established under the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019, played a pivotal role in forming a technical working group in 2021 to address IP issues in the Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), culminating in the recent MOA.
Galvez also acknowledged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s dedication to fostering inclusivity in national peacebuilding efforts. The IGRB, comprising representatives from various national and BARMM government agencies, continues to work towards resolving key issues through regular consultations and negotiations.