INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES' ROLE
IN THEPRESERVATION OF
BIODIVERSITY INTHE PHILIPPINES:CHALLENGES ANDOPPORTUNITIESSaint Pedro Poveda College[W202105-2]

As Indigenous Peoples (IPs) own 20% of the world’s land and defend 80% of theenvironment’s biodiversity, they play a vital role in the preservation of key species.

THESIS: IN THE PHILIPPINES, INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE
PRESERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES BECAUSE OF THEIR DEEPCULTURAL AND TRADITIONALRELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE AND THELOCAL ECOSYSTEM.

Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity is the wide range of different forms of life in an ecosystem, from the various
types of flora, fauna, to even the microorganisms that populate an area. These forms oflife interact and depend on each other with each species playing a role in maintaining astable ecosystem.
1. The health of ecosystems that humans rely on for food, water, and production goods
depends on the existence of a variety of wildlife.
2. Biodiverse ecosystems are key in the climate change crisis.
a. They reduce emissions by storing carbon or acting as carbon sinks;b. Protect communities from extreme weather events (Ex. Flood, Typhoons);c. Are more resilient to the effects of climate change

Why is it important to preserve biodiversity?
Preserving biodiversity should be a main priority for nations as these ecosystems are vitalin providing for humanity’s needs, and play a key role in addressing the climate crisis.

INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Indigenous People make up from 10 to 20% of the national
population who belong to 110 ethno-linguistic groups (UNDP, 2013).
Majority of IPs reside in the southernmost island of the Philippines,
Mindanao.

Examples of IPs in thePhilippines:
IsnegAtaBagoboMatikManobo

85%of key biodiveristy
areas in thePhilippines are IP
protected

OPPORTUNITIESDespite being a small part of the population, IPs protect approximately 85% ofthe Philippines’ key biodiversity areas, as these lands are their ancestral
domains. Indigenous people’s lifestyles are respectful to the environment, living
sustainable lives that preserves water and soil, reduces erosion and other risksof disasters.
A. Belief System
The Isneg’s sustainable agricultural traditions allow biodiversity to thrive
within their local agricultural lands. This is reinforced by beliefs in different
spirits who interfere with crucial stages in the agricultural cycle.
B. Traditions
As an example, the entire body of a pig is put to good use by the tribe. The
owner shares and dines on the killed pig with the community to ensure noneof it is left over, and the blood of the pig is used in rituals for healing andgood fortune.

CHALLENGES

Threatened Land

Lack of Resources

The land owned by theIndigenouspeople
aretaken away or exploited bycorporations
andgovernments, to be usedfor economic purposes.

Indigenous people and ethnic minorities face
marginalization and economic inequality within
the Philippines due to lack of proper
representation in government data. Due to thelack of support from the government, thequality of the IPs education and healthcare
services can also fall under the low quality topoor bracket.

Integration of IP Lessons into Poveda's Curriculum
Through subjects such as Understanding Culture Society and Politics,
Community Engagement, Christian Living Education, and even theirScience classes, the students are more equipped as servant leaders
who can make a difference in the IPs lives through the next level.
Integration of IP Lessons into Co-curricular Activities

POVEDA'SSCHOOLWIDEAPPROACH

Through outreaches and programs held by the Spirituality and Social
Action offices tied in with the Josefa Segovia Foundation that closely
works with Indigenous People, the school forms well-rounded students
that promote immersion and partnership with the said communities.
Poveda Forest
A program where donations are collected to rebuild worn down or landgrabbed plantations to protect the land, environment, and biodiversity inthe schools’ partner communities.
Month Long Activities
Celebrations of the Season of Creation and Indigenous People's Monthensure that the Povedan students are exposed to these topics even in
their day-to-day activities.

SDGS
With this analysis on the lives of the Indigenous Peoples, the researchers aim to uphold SDG 14 and
15 or Life Below Water and Life on Land respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH
IPs are major contributors to the protection of biodiversity in the Philippines.
As a lot of biodiverse land falls under the ancestral domain of the Indigenous People, more thanever, it is important for the government and the community to support and protect the areas
under the IPs jurisdiction.

REFERENCES
Department of Economic and Social Affairs Indigenous Peoples. (n.d.). Education. United Nations..
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/mandated-areas1/education.html
Fast Facts: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines. (2013, July 24). UNDP.
https://www.undp.org/philippines/publications/fast-facts-indigenous-peoples-philippines
Gonzales, A.C.U., & Briones, C.B. (2018). Yapayao-Isneg Tribe: Ethnozoological Beliefs, Traditions andPractices in the Current Century. Asian Journalof Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(2), 96-106.
https://asianjournal.org/online/index.php/ajms/article/view/68/33
Indigenous Religious Beliefs and Cosmology of the Filipino Introduction. (n.d.). SEASite.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/modules/modules/philippinereligions/article_indigenous_beliefs.htm
Maranan, E.B. (2020, November 18). The Isneg (Isnag) Tribe of the Philippines. Yodisphere.
https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/09/Isneg-Isnag-Apayao-Tribe-Culture.html

REFERENCES
Shaw, J. (2021, May 17). Why is biodiversity important? Conservation International.
https://www.conservation.org/blog/why-is-biodiversity-important
UN Department of Public Information. (n.d.). Indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories andresources. United Nations. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wpcontent/uploads/sites/19/2018/04/Indigenous-Peoples-Collective-Rights-to-Lands-TerritoriesResources.pdf
UNDP Ecosystems & Biodiversity. (2019, August 9). Indigenous peoples in the Philippines leading
conservation efforts. GEF. https://www.thegef.org/newsroom/feature-stories/indigenouspeoples-philippines-leading-conservation-efforts

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