Hans Koechler Political and Philosophical Society

Press Release

Manila, 8 September 2007

REPORT ON THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CONVENTION FOR THE FORMULATION OF AN

“AGENDA FOR ACTION ON IP CONCERNS”

On the occasion of the 5^th Annual Conference of the Hans Koechler Political & Philosophical Society (HKPPS), Inc., a Convention for the formulation of an “Agenda for Action on IP [Indigenous Peoples’] Concerns” was held on September 8, 2007, preceding the “United Nations Declaration  on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” on September 13, 2007. Dr. Fatemah Remedios C. Balbin, president of both the HKPPS and the Foundation for Social Justice (1988), welcomed the guests and participants and endorsed the cooperation between the HKPPS and the FSJ, saying that the HKPPS views all their common concerns from a global perspective, while the FSJ approaches the same issues from  a national perspective.

The convention sought to bring together the ideas of various sectors of Philippine Society on the problems confronting the Philippine IPs. The gathering was meant to identify and discuss solutions to problems long discussed within and outside the IP communities. This time the gathering was determined to adopt immediate solutions, even as the delegates prepared for long-term measures.

The conference was held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

The following government agencies, NGOs, POs, and academic institutions were represented:                        

• HKPPS ( sponsoring organization)

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Office of the Secretary

• Field Investigation Office of the Ombudsman

• Land Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

• National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)

• NCIP – Ancestral Domain Office (ADO)

• Bureau of Jail Management of the Philippines

• Sentro Para sa Ganap na Pamayanan, Inc.

• IBON Foundation, Inc.

• Foundation for Social Justice (FSJ)

• University of Santo Tomas, Office for Community Development

• Pederasyon ng mga Aytang Samahan ng Zambales

• National Organization of Young Indigenous Leaders and Advocates of the Philippines

• Department of Social Work and Development, University of the Philippines (UP)

• BAYAN- CL

• C. I. Reyes Business Consultants

• UP [University of the Philippines] Alumni Association, Inc.

• Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) – People’s Bureau

• UP College of Business Administration

• UP School of Labor & Industrial Relations (SOLAIR)

• The Children of God (Dagiti Annak Ti Dios)

• Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Department of History

• Filtao Cooperative Development, Inc.

• KAMANDIMAN, New Corella, Inc.

The gathering received  a congratulatory message from Dr. Hans Koechler of the International Progress Organization based in Vienna, Austria.

At the end of the discussions, the body adopted several resolutions  which were approved unanimously upon motion of Prof. Jaime Ramirez.

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