23 May 2006, NEW YORK—The Philippines urged today the international community to accelerate the work towards a consensus to adopt the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Persons as early as possible.

In his statement before the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, Jr. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the Philippine, welcomes the Program of Action for the Second International Debate of the World's Indigenous People.

"The Philippines is proud to have a national law that recognizes, protects, promotes and operationalizes the rights of indigenous peoples," Ambassador Baja said in his statement.

He cited the Indigenous People's Right Act, which reflects the principles  embodied in the Draft Declaration. "This landmark social legislation emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to preserve their cultures, traditions, and institutions; to cultural integrity; to freedom from discrimination; to equal rights and opportunities; and to participate in development decisions."

Ambassador Baja also referred to the commitment undertaken by the Philippines when it was elected to the new Human Rights Council, which states:" The Philippines will continue to play an active role in upholding the rights and welfare of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The Philippines will also continue to be a voice for vulnerable groups and will support human rights-based approaches that address their concerns in a comprehensive, positive and practical way."

The Philippines has 110 ethno-linguistic groups, numbering 12 million and which constitute 15 percent of the country's population. "The Philippines has been implementing the Indigenous People's Rights Act for the last eight years," Ambassador Baja said.

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is composed of governments and NGOs. It is currently presided by a Filipino — Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the Executive Director of Tebtebba - the Indigenous People International Center for Policy Research and Education.  END