SIPA
In 2008, some 80 indigenous women and men from 12 tribes in Mindanao gathered in Davao City to hold their first State of the Indigenous Peoples Address (SIPA). The 3-day activity aimed to provide a strategic platform for indigenous peoples in Mindanao to present to the government and the public the real state of their affairs. It was also an opportunity for the Lumads in Mindanao to exact accountability from the government in fulfilling its human development goals. The SIPA also intended to clarify and reaffirm the basis of their historical struggle for their right to self-determination and genuine political recognition.
The State of the Indigenous People’s Address (SIPA) conferencesuccessfully presented to the public the true state of the Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao including the situation of women and children.
The activity successfully consolidated the voices and positions of the Lumads and gave impetus to subsequent gatherings to highlight further the issues affecting indigenous peoples.
The SIPA clearly demonstrated the IPs’ collective strength as they directly challenged the government’s so-called pro-poor and pro-IP programs and policies. They reiterated their call for the full and genuine recognition of their collective identity and rights over their ancestral territories.
The 1st SIPA was undoubtedly a positive experience that the participants strongly recommended for the holding of another SIPA in 2009.
Thus, come July 27, 2009, while Pres. Arroyo will deliver her 9th State of the Nation Address (SONA), her last before the much awaited 2010 presidential election, LRC-KsK/FoE-Phils. will once again provide the platform for IP communities to gather and discuss, articulate and present their SIPA. We will endeavor to reach a broader section of the IPs this time thus, there will be two 2 SIPA gatherings in Mindanao and Luzon which will be done simultaneously in Cagayan de Oro City and in Quezon City respectively.
Both gatherings will banner the theme “Continuing the Historical Struggle for the Right to Self-Determination”. This is in recognition of the emerging need for indigenous peoples to (close rank) in light of the sustained and systematic effort of the Arroyo government to undermine the nation’s sovereignty through persistent and aggressive implementation of the liberalization and privatization policies which would eventually lead to foreign ownership and control of lands and ancestral domains. Despite the impact of the global financial crisis, the Arroyo government continues to be obstinate in its strategy to directly involve transnational corporations in the the exploitation, development and utilization of the country’s natural and energy resources.
The two SIPA gatherings will be attended by at least 150 indigenous communities from Mindanao and Luzon.
Support groups, NGOs, church organizations, the academe, media, IP advocates and activists will also be invited to attend the gathering.
For this year, the SIPA hopes to reach not only the Filipino public, but also to reach out to the international community to amplify their voices, as they speak out the truth about their plight, their vision and their struggle.
