Importance of Indigenous People in the Philippines

The Philippines is a culturally diverse country with an estimated 14- 17 million Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) belonging to 110 ethno-linguistic groups; they are mainly concentrated in Northern Luzon
(Cordillera Administrative Region, 33%) and Mindanao (61%), with some groups in the Visayas area.
(UNDP Philippines 2010). Despite the fact that Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines are facing a lot of
challenges, they are as important as the mainstream society.

One importance of Indigenous People in the Philippines is they defend our land for urbanization
and industrialization. Nowadays, our agricultural land and ancestral lands are being industrialized. Well
preserved mountains are turning into mining pits. Without the Indigenous People’s effort to defend
these lands, the next generation might not be able to see and enjoy what we see today. The Indigenous
communities have fought for their land even if that has caused their own lives. Now we get to enjoy
these beautiful mountains, falls and sceneries because of they are well preserved by the Indigenous
community.

Another importance of the Indigenous People is they are important in the preservation of our
history, language and culture.