MANILA — Officials of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) voiced strong opposition to a proposed measure that seeks to transfer key functions over ancestral lands from the agency to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
NCIP Commissioners Nancy A. Catamco, Atty. Rhodex P. Valenciano, and Datu “Amarillo” Marcelo A. Alejo Jr. attended the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reorganization hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to discuss House Bill No. 621.
The bill, titled “An Act Rationalizing the Ancestral Lands Administration and Adjudication Process, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8371, Otherwise Known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997,” was filed by Rep. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo.
Under the proposal, the responsibility for registering and managing ancestral lands would be transferred from the NCIP to the DENR. It also seeks to establish a new adjudication body that would resolve disputes involving ancestral domain claims.
However, the NCIP warned that the measure could further complicate long-standing issues in the titling and recognition of ancestral lands, which the agency has been working to address under Republic Act No. 8371.
Civil society organizations, along with Tricap National President Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, also expressed opposition during the hearing, echoing concerns that the proposed restructuring may undermine existing mechanisms meant to protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and land claims.
The committee is expected to continue deliberations on the measure in upcoming hearings.
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