Senator honors Indigenous Peoples as pillars of the nation

Senator Loren Legarda paid tribute to the country’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month this October, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping the Philippines’ cultural heritage, national identity, and sustainable development.

“The Philippines is home to scores of ethno-linguistic groups, many of which have maintained their unique pre-colonial cultures and practices. This is not a mere point of pride, but it represents a wealth of knowledge we can depend on for the future,” Legarda said.

“We have long regarded IPs as the bedrock of our nation, for it was them who laid the foundation in many of our traditions and practices that we Filipinos have embraced throughout the centuries,” she added.

Legarda, the principal author of the law declaring August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day, underscored that despite decades of advocacy, many IP communities continue to face serious challenges, including threats to their ancestral domains, the worsening effects of climate change, and the erosion of traditional practices due to globalization.

“True nation-building means celebrating and learning from the traditions of our Indigenous Peoples, and ensuring that their communities are safe, thriving, and respected,” Legarda stressed.

“We must integrate indigenous knowledge systems into national strategies on climate change adaptation, food security, and biodiversity conservation; these are time-tested systems that have long sustained our people and our environment,” she said.

“Celebrating and learning from the traditions of the IPs, recognizing their inherent rights, and partnering with them is to build a prosperous future that is also culturally vibrant and environmentally sound,” Legarda added.

“Hindi sila ang may pangangailangan sa atin, dahil nagmumula sa kanila ang ating pagka-Pilipino, at natutuklasan natin ito sa araw-araw, salamat sa kanilang mga naiambag,” she said, highlighting the deep cultural connection between Filipinos and indigenous communities.

Legarda has consistently championed policies and laws that uplift and empower indigenous groups through education, culture, and sustainable development.

She authored the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and its amendatory measure, the Cultural Mapping Law, which requires every local government unit to document and safeguard its tangible and intangible cultural assets.

The senator also supports the Schools of Living Traditions, which preserve and teach indigenous craftsmanship and artisanal skills, including traditional weaving and textile-making methods.

As principal author and co-sponsor of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, Legarda pushed for the use of locally produced textiles in government uniforms to promote indigenous weaving traditions and sustain local livelihoods.

Beyond legislation, Legarda continues to celebrate the richness of indigenous heritage through Dayaw, a long-running, multi-awarded documentary series she conceptualized and hosts, which highlights the artistry, wisdom, and resilience of the country’s Indigenous Peoples.