Press Release
August 9, 2016

Koko: Federalism benefits indigenous people

As the country observes National Indigenous People's Day, Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III expressed hopes that the proposed shift in government will be beneficial for the different indigenous groups in the country.

Koko said, "We should recognize the potential of expediting the delivery of services and assistance to the indigenous groups if we start empowering communities."

This is in relation to what he said in a speech delivered in a forum last week. He said, "A federal society is one which recognizes the diversity that exists among the people." To this, he added, "Federalism is also meant to preserve cultural identities and practices."

In the recent data of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines are mostly concentrated in Mindanao (61 percent) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (33 percent).

In the present system, around 14- 17 million IPs in the country are singlehandedly assisted by the National Commission on Indigenous People.

The National Indigenous People's Day is observed every August 9 to promote awareness of the rights of indigenous peoples in the country.

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