The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is set to open an information hub eyed to further strengthen monitoring and protection of the indigenous people’s rights in the country.
The “IP Human Rights observatory” will serve as a “depository” of documents gathered from the conducted inquiries, tribal communities, civil service organizations and other agencies concerning indigenes, Lawyer Gwendolyn LL. Pimentel-Gana, CHR focal commissioner of indigenes, said in an interview.
“The observatory will serve as main resource where all data will be gathered to come up with a holistic approach to the problem and the needs of the IPs,” Pimentel-Gana told reporters during the National Inquiry on the Situation of the Filipino Indigenous Peoples held in Davao City.
The commissioner added that given with the proper documents and accurate statistics, the rights observatory shall provide the indigenes a “permanent mechanism” for regular monitoring and a venue for them to talk with government officials and CSOs to come up with solutions to their problems.
Geroncio Aguio, regional director of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP 11) cited the importance of assisting indigenes to obtain proper documents, especially on ancestral domain and human rights.
Cases filed by indigenes against private sectors are usually dismissed because of the lack of evidence and documents, he added.
Pimentel-Gana said they are hopeful to start initial storage of information early next year, months after the final leg of indigenes inquiry in Mindanao will be conducted. The observatory will be housed in the main office in Quezon City. (davaotoday.com)
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