IBP Offers Free Legal Aid to Transform Indigenous Peoples’ Ancestral Lands into Food Production Sites

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National President Burt M. Estrada joined former Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roberto “Bobby” Ansaldo, representing the Philippine Chamber for Agriculture & Food, Inc. (PCAFI), in a press conference to discuss the IBP’s support for PCAFI’s vision.

As the Philippines struggles with rising food inflation, Estrada emphasized the need to develop food resilience and increase productivity. To support this goal, IBP will provide free legal aid to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to turn portions of their unused ancestral lands into food production areas, improving food security and reducing reliance on imports.

Ansaldo was the Project Director of USAID’s “Inclusive Growth through Inclusive Business (IGIB)” program, which helped the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Tribe establish the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative. Estrada aims to replicate this program through the IBP’s National Legal Aid program to help more IP communities participate in national growth.

The IGIB project aims to provide IP communities with an organization to interact with the government, private sector, and financial institutions and to optimize the “Rule of Law.” The project creates economic platforms for marginalized communities, initially benefiting IPs in 3 project sites across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The project has already achieved significant progress, with a project site in Bataan receiving its Articles of Cooperation and another in Negros Occidental having its application approved. The other sites are expected to follow.