President Aquino Declares August 9 of Every Year as National Indigenous Peoples Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed Republic Act 10689 declaring August 9 of every year as a special working holiday to observe National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The new policy was created to “advance the rights and collective well-being of indigenous peoples” nationwide.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has been tasked to promulgate the rules and regulations for the meaningful observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

President Aquino approved the law last October 23 after the House of Representatives and the Senate ratified it on May 26, 2014 and July 28, 2015, respectively.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, there are 14 million to 17 million indigenous peoples in the Philippines, belonging to more than 100 ethno-linguistic groups scattered in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (PNA) LGI/PND/SSC