Previous Proclamations and International Recognition
- Proclamation No. 486 designates October 29 as National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day to honor the significance of indigenous peoples.
- Recognizes the United Nations Declaration of 2005-2014 as the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.
Role of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
- Under Republic Act No. 7356, NCCA is mandated to promote pluralistic culture development, conserve historical cultural heritage, and disseminate artistic and cultural products nationally and internationally.
- NCCA, in partnership with a host city, has led Indigenous Peoples Month celebrations in October for the past two years.
Declaration of National Indigenous Peoples Month
- October of every year is declared as National Indigenous Peoples Month to promote participation and preservation of Indigenous Cultural Communities as integral to the nation's life.
- All government agencies are instructed to actively participate in the celebration.
Lead Agency and Coordinating Bodies
- NCCA through its Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) is the lead agency for planning, coordination, and implementation of activities.
- Collaboration is required with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
- The SCCTA also liaises with international organizations linked to UNESCO to promote cultural diversity.
Official Enactment
- The proclamation is signed by the President of the Philippines and became effective on October 5, 2009, signaling government commitment to uphold indigenous peoples' rights and celebrate their contributions annually.