Atty. Val discussed Republic Act No. 8371 or “The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997” which recognizes and promote all the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains and to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. This law created the National Commission on ICCs/IPs (NCIP) tasked to carry out and implement plans and programs to protect the ICCs/IPs.

Among the law’s powerful provisions is the ICCs/IPs’ right to stay in their territories and not be relocated without their free and prior informed consent. In consequence, any private projects and infrastructures affecting the ancestral lands will not proceed without the consent of the community. As an example of how Republic Act No. 8371 was implemented in order to protect traditional cultural expression, sometime last year, the National Commission vigorously stepped in to protect Apo Whang-od, known as “The Last Mambabatok” (Kalinga tattooist) from the tribe of Butbut in Buscalan, Kalinga. An online educational platform was accused of exploiting Filipino culture by organizing a course in learning the ancient art of tattooing for a fee without Apo Whang-od’s proper consent. The National Commission intervened in the alleged exploitation and the supposed online course was taken down.