Every thread holds a story of strength, a vision of harmony, and a promise of a future that we must all weave together.

This October, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the nation in marking National Indigenous Peoples Month with the theme “Weaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development.” The celebration reinforces the call to uphold the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, a landmark law affirming their collective rights to ancestral lands, self-governance, and cultural integrity.

For generations, Indigenous Peoples have struggled to assert their rights. Despite being stewards of culture, biodiversity, and ancestral knowledge, many continue to face barriers to meaningful participation in decisions that shape their lives. Over two decades since the implementation of IPRA, they remain to be hindered from the full realization of their rights—thereby revealing the need for stronger protection mechanisms and truly inclusive policies that are designed with, not merely for, Indigenous Peoples.

It is equally important to recognize the intersectionality of their identities and struggles—where issues of gender, poverty, disability, and geographic isolation compound their marginalization. Indigenous women, children, and Persons with Disabilities often bear the heaviest burdens of inequality, making an inclusive, rights-based approach to protection and development all the more urgent.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to give the highest priority to measures that “protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity” and to remove “social, economic, and cultural inequities.” Genuine empowerment of Indigenous communities must therefore begin at the policy level—through inclusive governance, protection of ancestral territories, and equitable access to justice and basic services.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the CHR reaffirms its steadfast commitment to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. We continue to engage with the Philippine government, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and civil society partners to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard and respected in governance and development processes.

The struggles and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples are interwoven with the nation’s story. Recognising their rights is not only a matter of justice; it is essential to building a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

The call to action extends beyond a month-long commemoration. It is a continuing obligation to confront inequities, safeguard cultural heritage, and uphold the dignity and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in every policy, programme, and partnership.