LEGARDA POINTS OUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Senator Loren Legarda highlighted the crucial role of Indigenous communities in preserving the Philippine ecosystem during her speech on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

She underscored the deep-rooted knowledge and environmental stewardship of these communities, which have managed their lands for centuries.

Legarda cited a World Bank report revealing that, while indigenous groups control nearly 26 million hectares of land, only a small fraction of this has recognized titles and proper registration.

She emphasized that ancestral domains hold an estimated PHP1.1 trillion in ecosystem value, including benefits from forest resources.

Legarda called for increased support and investment in indigenous communities, stressing that their well-being and rights are essential for the overall health of the nation’s environment.

Source : PhilNews24 | August 17, 2024