Prioritize indigenous peoples’ education
This October, the country celebrates National Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Month, and commemorates the 25th year since the passage of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Ipra). Various activities have been launched throughout the country to celebrate this event. Lamentably, it appears to be a token celebration, with activities focused on mere pageantry. Critical issues facing us IPs, such as the lack of access to education, remain ignored underneath the festivities.
The stark reality on the ground is that we remain vulnerable because we are disregarded and given the least priority. A good example of this can be found in the 2023 budget proposal for Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) under the Department of Education (DepEd).
A close inspection of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) shows that the IPEd budget for 2023 has been slashed by more than 63 percent compared to 2022, and more than P90 million has been removed. The budget proposal now stands at only P53 million, from P144 million. This means that out of the P666-billion DepEd budget, less than 1 percent goes toward implementing IPEd. In context, the IPEd budget is just a third of the unnecessary DepEd confidential intelligence funds worth P150 million.
Just as confounding is how, based on the NEP, the IPEd allocation is limited to maintenance and other operating expenses. There is no allocation for personnel services and capital outlay. The limited allocation means that despite pleas to hire more IPs to develop a culturally sensitive curriculum, and for evaluation and training, there is no provision for salaries, wages, and other compensations (personnel services). There’s no budget either for the purchase of goods and services (capital outlay).
The government’s duty to respect, promote, and protect IPs should go beyond the celebration of IPs’ month and the commemoration of Ipra. If the government is serious about fulfilling its mandate, it should provide the financial means and human resources to implement laws that empower us.
With Congress aiming to pass the 2023 budget before its session ends in December, there is still hope. May they recognize the importance of empowering us IPs to move out of the margins!
