Question & AnswerQ&A (NCIP EN BANC Resolution NO. 145)
Section 10, Article II promotes social justice; Section 17, Article XIV recognizes and protects the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
The International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), specifically paragraph c, Article V which promotes the political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples through participation in government and public affairs.
It guarantees IPs the right to full participation in all levels of decision-making that affect their rights, lives, and destinies and ensures they have mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and local legislative councils.
To establish the National Guidelines for the Mandatory Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Local Legislative Councils, setting procedures and mechanisms for their mandatory representation.
The representation shall be proportionate to the Indigenous Peoples' population and shall have the same privileges as regular members of the legislative or policymaking bodies.
They serve as members in the Sangguniang Pambarangay, Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in close coordination with IP communities.
It indicates broad agreement and formalizes the guidelines for mandatory representation, ensuring legal recognition and institutional support for Indigenous Peoples' participation in local legislative councils.
The guidelines shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register at UP Law Center and published in two newspapers of general circulation; copies will also be distributed to bureaus, regional and provincial offices, and Community Service Centers for their guidance and information.
Indigenous Peoples serve as mandatory representatives with proportionate representation and equal privileges as regular members, enabling them to participate fully in policymaking affecting their communities.