Indigenous

People
and
Ethnic
Minorities
 The late twentieth century has highlighted the
struggles of Philippine indigenous peoples (IPs), who
have unique characteristics such as conservation of
languages, traditional institutions, cultural practices,
self-identification, subsistence-oriented economies, and
a special relationship with ancestral lands. These
struggles are deeply rooted in history and need to be
addressed.
• Francisco Colin noted that the “Negrillos, Zambals
and other nations” were “uncivilized”, yet had more
languages as “almost every river has its own
language”.
• He noted that the multiplicity of languages caused
their “lack of civilization and communication”, and
that these groups had nothing written about their
religion, government or history, except for their
tradition preserved in customs, and “songs that they
retain in their memory”.
• In an unsigned document in 1618, a Spaniard described the
“Negrillos” (Negritos,Luzon) as belonging to the “same
race of people”…who live farthest in the interior and most
rugged parts” and that they are “aborogines” while the
rest of the natives were “immigrants who conquered
them”. They were “brutal and averse to civilization” as
they often “cut off the heads of their own fathers and
brothers for pastime”,
• In an unsigned document in 1618, a Spaniard described the
“Negrillos” (Negritos,Luzon) as belonging to the “same
race of people”…who live farthest in the interior and most
rugged parts” and that they are “aborogines” while the
rest of the natives were “immigrants who conquered
them”. They were “brutal and averse to civilization” as
they often “cut off the heads of their own fathers and
brothers for pastime”,
NON-CHRISTIAN
TRIBES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
• Despite their resistance to convert to Christianity,
these tribes sought resettlement through reduction.
• As the Philippines passed to the US, they were
classified as “non-Christian Tribes."
• According to a 1918 population census, NCTs
constituted around 500,000 of the 10.5 million
inhabitants.
• The Americans believed these tribes needed U.S.
guidance for their civilization and political, socio-
cultural development.
• Zoologist Dean Worcester used unflattering photos
to illustrate the need for U.S. guidance.
Bontoc Igorots in automobile,” 1904. Location: Manila

Making a phonograph record. Group of Lubuagan men singing,”

1908. Location: Lubuagan, Bontoc
US Mining Act and Bureau
of Non-Christian Tribes

• 1905 mining act authorized US

citizens to mine public lands.
• Aimed to develop Non-Christian
Tribes (NCTs) in "civilization".
• Created Bureau of Non-Christian
Tribes through Jones law, Section 22 in
1917.
• Aimed to foster moral, material,
economic, social, and political
development of NCTs.
• Aimed to ensure mutual intelligence
and fusion of Christian and non-
Christian elements in archipelago
provinces.
Secretary of Interior Adoptions for
NCTs
• Adopted closer settlement policy to encourage NCTs to settle in organized
communities.
• Extended public school and health systems in NCT-inhabited regions.
• Extended public works in Moro regions for development and government
control extension.
• Constructed roads and trails to promote social and commercial intercourse
among NCTs and Christian peoples.
• Promoted agricultural development and private capital investment in fertile
regions of Mindanao and Sulu.
US Colonial Programs in Mindanao
• US implemented colonial programs in Mindanao, specifically
in Baguio.
• Baguio, designed by Daniel Burnham, served as a "summer
capital" for the US government.
• Despite its cool climate, the US struggled to penetrate NCTs in
other mountainous areas who maintained their cultural identity.
The establishment of the Commission on National Integration (CNI) in 1957 or Republic Act No.
1888 was a turning point as the Philippine Government itself crafted this program of integration.

AN ACT TO EFFECTUATE IN A MORE RAPID AND COMPLETE MANNER THE

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, MORAL AND POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE NON-
CHRISTIAN FILIPINOS OR NATIONAL CULTURAL MINORITIES AND TO RENDER REAL,
COMPLETE AND PERMANENT THE INTEGRATION OF ALL SAID NATIONAL CULTURAL
MINORITIES INTO THE BODY POLITIC, CREATING THE COMMISSION ON NATIONAL
INTEGRATION CHARGED WITH SAID FUNCTIONS.

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of Congress to foster, accelerate and accomplish by
all adequate means and in a systematic, rapid and complete manner the moral, material, economic,
social, and political advancement of the Non-Christian Filipinos, hereinafter called National Cultural
Minorities, and to render real, complete and permanent the integration of all the National Cultural
Minorities into the body politic.
 SEC. 4. The To engage in industrial To construct, operate and To cooperate with To effectuate the
Commission shall have and agricultural entered maintain irrigation Government agricultural settlement of all landless
the following powers, establish processing systems and dams, experiment it stations or members of the National
functions and duties: plants and cottage power structures or demonstration farms and Cultural Minorities by
industries to lead generating plants, agricultural supervisors procuring homesteads
communities of the electric transmission and in assisting farmers to for them or by resettling
National Cultural distribution lines or acquire knowledge of them in resettlement
Minorities in engaging systems for the modern farming or better projects of the National
in such pursuits and, furnishing of electric methods of cultivation of Resettlement and
upon the attainment of light, heat and power to farms. Rehabilitation
this objective, to sell the inhabitants in the Administration.
such enterprises or areas not receiving the
industries to them at service of such plants or
cost. systems.
 CNI 1957: Modernization Program for National
Minorities

• Aimed to modernize lifestyles and civilization through infrastructure for integration with the cultural
majority.
• Titles "rapid and complete" and "economic, social, moral, and political advancement" implying rapid
integration.
• "Real, complete and permanent" implies no return to old ways.
• Concept of uniformity over diversity imposed, minorities had to adjust to the majority.
• Undermining and partially altering the rich cultural heritage of minorities.
• Researchers focused on collecting and recording indigenous cultures due to drastic cultural changes.
• Late 20th century saw children of farmers opting for city education over inheriting cultivated land.
 • The IPRA of 1997 aimed to recognize, protect,
and promote the rights of indigenous cultural
communities.
• Despite the IPRA, IP issues persist due to its
Indigenous modern structure of affirming indigeneity through
laws, NGOs, and government agencies.
• The strength of IP recognition and rights
Peoples' Rights depends on the larger structure where IPs aimed
to be affirmed.
Act (IPRA) and • Factors affecting indigeneity include political,
economic, cultural dimensions, migration,
Indigenous socioeconomic change, and religious conversion.
• Good governance requires representation of
Issues diverse communities in the bureaucracy for
equitable policies.
• Urgent representation is needed, especially in
the discourse on ancestral domains, which have
been eroded by business interests.
 Indigenous Peoples and Research Fatigue

• The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) protects

Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from research fatigue.
• IPs feel different from the majority, leading to stereotypes.
• The term "indigenous" has been changing since the 1997 IPRA.
• University scholarships facilitate IP education, but some non-IPs may avail
of these awards.
• IPs are sometimes forced to showcase their culture, furthering the notion of
being "others."
• The authenticity and commodification of IP culture and tradition remain a
ongoing debate.
 Ethnic Minority Struggle in
Filipino Heritage

• Ethnic minorities' centuries-long struggle against mainstream policies

affecting their cultural heritage.
• Current struggle to preserve ancestral domains rich in culture, minerals, and
resources.
• Slow loss of lands to business interests, affecting culture and tradition.
Lesson Summary
• The indigenous communities of
the Philippines have continued
to struggle to keep their cultural
identity and ancestral domain
from colonial policies to
present-day development
programs.
• The social history of minority
groups in the Philippines should
highlight their historical
experiences that the
mainstream has left out, so that
we can recognize and empathize
with minority groups and
advocate for their rights.