Recently, a landmark event unfolded in Baguio City as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Commission En Banc (NCIP-CEB) and the City Council convened in an unprecedented show of unity to rectify Section 78 of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).
This landmark joint session, initiated by Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Hon. Maximo Edwin, followed recent Supreme Court rulings that have curtailed the ancestral land claims, thru the Certificate of Ancestral Land Title (CALT), of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the city.
The event’s significance is amplified by Baguio City’s unique connection to IPRA’s history: the Mateo Cariño Doctrine, a foundational principle of IPRA, originated here.
Both the NCIP-CEB and the City Council emphasized the tragic irony if Baguio, the birthplace of the Mateo Cariño doctrine, became CALT’s “deathbed.”
During the session, former NCIP-CEB chairperson Brigida Pawid and former legislator Atty. Edgar Avila provided crucial historical insights.
Chairperson Pawid recounted the arduous, decade-long fight to pass IPRA in Congress, highlighting the pivotal contributions of Cordilleran leaders like the late Atty. William “Billy” Claver, who championed the rights of Indigenous Peoples as early as 1989.
Meanwhile, Atty. Avila, who served as a Youth Representative during IPRA’s passage in 1997, shed light on the original intent behind Section 78—an intent inadvertently left out from congressional records.
The unity displayed by the NCIP-CEB and the City Council, long seen as adversaries, is cause for jubilation for IPs. Their collaboration signals a shared resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of Baguio City’s indigenous peoples.
To me, the Special Joint Session is a torchbearer of a struggle that began decades ago. Much like the indigenous leaders of the 1980s, who wielded the Mateo Cariño Doctrine to secure ancestral land rights despite political resistance, today’s advocates are reigniting that same fighting spirit. This is not just a continuation of their legacy but a revival of the bold, tireless efforts of those who risked being labeled subversives to champion indigenous peoples’ rights.
History demonstrates that even the Supreme Court, the highest arbiter of justice in the land, is not infallible nor immune to revising its decisions. Past jurisprudence and case laws are replete with examples of decisions being overturned or reinterpreted in light of evolving societal values, new evidence, or stronger legal arguments.
However, triggering such a monumental shift is not easy—it requires commitment from the people, an unrelenting struggle that often requires more than just legal acumen. It requires a groundswell of advocacy, persistent lobbying, and, most importantly, a unified call for justice. The newfound bond between the NCIP-CEB and City Council fuels the arduous journey ahead.
As this rekindled determination takes root, the next step is clear: formalize the newfound unity into legislation that will restore and uphold the original intent of Section 78 of IPRA.
With elections on the horizon, the indigenous peoples of Baguio City can only hope that a genuine congressional representative, someone truly committed to their cause, will emerge as the victor to amplify their voices within the halls of Congress. This hope extends to party-list representatives, especially those who claim to advocate for indigenous people’ rights—words must transform into meaningful action, and not only during the campaign season.
As the tenure of the current NCIP-CEB Commissioners draws to a close in the coming month, it becomes imperative for the Indigenous Peoples of Baguio to remain steadfast and vigilant. They must ensure that the incoming commissioners are constantly reminded of their paramount duty: to uphold the spirit and intent of the law that established their mandate.
This responsibility goes beyond mere oversight—it is a call for accountability and alignment with the very principles enshrined in IPRA.
The NCIP was created to be a fortification for Indigenous rights, not merely a bureaucratic entity. The new Commissioners must embody this mission above all other considerations.
The vigilance of indigenous peoples, particularly in Baguio personified through IPMR Edwin, serves as both a safeguard and a moral compass, ensuring that the NCIP-CEB remains true to its foundational purpose. The commissioners need to actively advocate for justice and remain steadfast in their mandate for indigenous peoples.
The journey is far from over, but the landmark special joint session marks a powerful resurgence. With unity, determination, and the memory of their forebears’ sacrifices lighting the way, Baguio City’s indigenous peoples have shown they are ready to confront the challenges ahead.
