Collecting data and statistics on indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities worldwide has historically been challenging. Different countries use varying criteria to identify these populations, limiting comparability. The availability, type, and quantity of data also vary widely between and within countries, particularly regarding sectoral and administrative data. Data collection efforts are further complicated by social, political, and logistical challenges, such as indigenous communities living in remote or conflict-affected areas.
Methodological challenges include the need for clear and standardized definitions, the quality and harmonization of existing data, the level of disaggregation, and consistent coverage across data sources. This workshop will highlight the importance of data on indigenous populations and ethnic minorities in the Philippines, exploring methods, technical approaches, and challenges. It will also address the guidelines and protocols necessary to improve data collection and define policies and legal requirements to help the government and public agencies standardize and harmonize this data and statistics.
The workshop was attended by 40 technical participants from DSWD, PSA, NCIP, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF; English: Commission on the Filipino Languages), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Health (DoH), and the Department of Education (DepEd). Cambodia’s Secretary of State in the Ministry of Planning, and IP organization called Cambodia Indigenous People Organization (CIPO) also participated in the workshop. Moreover, four (4) international IP experts from International Labor Organization (ILO), Mexico, New Zealand, and Australian Bureau of Statistics joined virtually and delivered international good practices of IP in the workshop.
Day 1
8:30 am – 9:00 am | Welcome and Introductions Aliah Dimaporo, Undersecretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias, Deputy National Statistician, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, Chairperson, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Dr Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia Zafer Mustafaoglu, Country Director, World Bank |
9:00 am – 9:20 am
| Topic 1. Setting the stage: 1.1 Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, Context, definitions and categorization. Mary Grace Perez-Buasen, NCIP |
9:20 am – 9:40 am | 1.2 Muslim Filipinos. Definition and categorization, nationally and BARMM. Yasmin Alonto-Naga, Settlement Division Chief, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) |
9:40 am – 10:00 am | Jomilynn R. Rebanal, Senior Statistical Specialist, PSA |
10:00 am - 10:40 am | Q&A (Sit-down Panel Discussion) |
10:40 am – 11:00 am | Break |
11:00 am - 11:30 am | Carlos Perez-Brito, Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank |
11:30 am – 11:50 am | Q&A |
11:50 am – 12:10 pm | Data On Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities in Cambodia: Availability, Usage, and Inconsistency H.E. Dr. Bunnak Poch, Secretary of State, Ministry of Planning, Cambodia Mr. Kuntheary Som, Project Manager, Cambodia Indigenous People Organization |
12:10 pm – 12:20 pm | Q&A |
12:20 pm – 1:20 pm | Lunch Break |
1:20 pm – 1:40 pm | Indigenous Peoples languages and ethnolinguistic groups Dr. Arthur P. Casanova, Chairperson Lourdes Zorilla-Hinampas, Chief Language Researcher, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF/Commission on the Filipino Language) |
1:40 pm – 3:20 pm | Q&A (Panel Discussion) |
3:20 pm – 3:40 pm | Break |
| 3:40 pm - 4:25 pm | Martin Oelz, Senior Specialist, International Labor Organization (ILO) |
4:25 pm - 4:40 pm | Q&A |
4:40 pm – 4:50 pm | Day 1 Wrap Up |
Day 2
| 8:30 am – 9:15 am | Topic 2. Standards and Guidelines: 2.1 International Good Practices Mexico: National Institute of Statistics and Geography Dr. Mauricio Rodriguez, General Director of Sociodemographic Statistics, National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico |
9:15 am – 9:30 am | Q&A |
9:30 am – 9:40 am | (Recap) Challenges in data collection, disaggregation, and dissemination of statistics on indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities. Carlos Perez-Brito, Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank |
9:40 am – 10:00 am | 2.2. How to harmonize and standardize current dataset and information systems Hannah Giray, Policy Development & Planning Bureau, DSWD |
10:00 am – 10:20 am | 2.2.2 Data Planning and Governance efforts from the Department of Health (DOH) Irene Hizon, Department of Health |
10:20 am - 10:40 am | 2.2.3 Data Planning and Governance efforts from the Department of Education (DepEd) Ma. Lourie Victor, Department of Education |
10:40 am - 11:00 am | Q&A |
11:00 am – 11:10 am | Break |
| 11:10 am – 11:55 am | Indigenous Data in Aotearoa New Zealand: A blueprint for the future? Tahu Kukutai, Professor, The University of Waikato |
11:55 am – 12:10 pm | Q&A |
12:10 pm – 1:10 pm | Lunch Break |
1:10 pm – 1:50 pm
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics in Australia Luke Verghese, Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) |
1:50 pm - 2:50 pm | 2.3 Standardization and Harmonization: How to move forward on a common approach in terms of questions and methodologies. DSWD, PSA, NCIP, NCMF, DOH, DepEd, KWF, and others |
2:50pm – 3:00pm | Break |
3:00pm – 4:00pm | Topic 3. Policies and legislations Open Discussion: What kind of policies and legislation is needed to move the needle and what are some of the potential risk and challenges? |
4:00pm – 4:30pm | Next Steps |