In a significant move to bolster the rights of indigenous peoples, 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 indigenous groups.
Galvez highlighted that the MOA, signed on February 10, is designed to address critical challenges faced by indigenous peoples and cultural communities within the Bangsamoro region. The agreement, facilitated by the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), focuses on preserving the rights of these communities, ensuring their welfare, and empowering them against new challenges.
The signing of 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 crucial role in setting up a technical working group in 2021 to address issues affecting indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Galvez also reaffirmed the OPAPRU’s commitment to initiatives promoting sustained peace, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro region. He stressed that the journey towards peace is a collective effort, with OPAPRU’s interventions designed to ensure inclusivity and that no one is left behind.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s dedication to inclusivity in national peacebuilding efforts was also underscored by Galvez. The IGRB, comprising representatives from various national and BARMM government agencies, continues to facilitate coordination and resolve issues through regular, non-adversarial consultations and negotiations.