The Akbayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed four bills aimed at strengthening the rights and welfare of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and other displaced or marginalized groups.
The measures include the Bakwit Welfare Act to protect displaced persons, the Katutubong Iskolar Act providing scholarships for IP students, the National Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act to recognize IP contributions, and the Katutubong Guro Act offering education scholarships and return-service programs for IP teachers.
The bills seek to address challenges such as forced displacement, limited access to education, and underrepresentation in local governance.
Lawmakers emphasized that these initiatives build on the 28th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and aim to promote inclusion, cultural recognition, and socioeconomic support for IP communities.
According to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, these populations remain among the poorest and most vulnerable, often displaced by development projects, conflict, or disasters.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 30, 2025
