Past Event

Workshop on Data and Information on Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Minorities in the Philippines

This workshop will highlighted the importance of data on indigenous populations and ethnic minorities in the Philippines, exploring methods, technical approaches, and challenges. The event aims to 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.

Developing National Standards and Guidelines for Data Collection and Statistics

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

1.3 Status of Indigenous Peoples Data in National Statistics. Census, surveys, and administrative data.

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

The relevance of data and statistics on Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities in the Philippines for policy and inclusive development. Key findings and policy recommendations from No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines (2024)

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

Promoting Visibility of Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities in Labour Statistics: International Principles and ILO Experiences

Martin OelzSenior 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 RodriguezGeneral 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

2.2.1 Data Planning and Governance efforts from DSWD.  Experience from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

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 

Photo Documentation of the Workshop

Date: January 27 - 28, 2025

Location: Manila, Philippines