Manila, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve the health and nutrition of indigenous people (IPs).
The MOU includes the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), funded by the World Bank, which aims to reduce malnutrition, especially among children in remote IP communities.
“About 860,000 IPs across 13 regions are expected to benefit from the program,” said the DOH, Wednesday, November 20.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stressed, “Ang mga katutubo o IP communities ay kailangang naaabot ng mga serbisyo publikong naaayon sa kanilang kultura,”
(The natives or IP communities must be reached by public services that are appropriate to their culture)
NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las highlighted the importance of ensuring that nutrition services respect IP culture.
“Sa pamamagitan ng MOU na ito mas maitataguyod ang karapatan ng ating mga katutubo at kanilang katutubong pamayanan, lalo na ang karapatan nila na mabigyan ng natatanging serbisyo ukol sa nutrisyon na angkop sa kanilang katutubong kultura,”
(This MOU will uphold the rights of our IPs and their communities, especially their right to nutrition services tailored to their culture)
MOU made it also clear that they will prioritize cultural sensitivity to ensure that nutrition services for IPs align with their beliefs, practices, customs, tradition, and institution.
Consequently, a free, prior, and informed consent from IP communities were considered.