Poverty Assessment in the Indigenous Communities of the Cordillera Region

The International Labour Organization (ILO) serves as the only international agency that has adopted specific standards covering indigenous peoples. To address the issue, ILO has taken a twofold approach of promoting its Convention 169 at the government level and providing technical assistance on indigenous peoples issues. ILO’s current development program for indigenous peoples is INDISCO, which uses a community-driven participatory approach rather than a top-down approach. The latter was found ineffective since it makes indigenous peoples dependent and is considered a disservice to their communities, which were traditionally self-reliant. INDISCO’s current projects are classified into four components: preservation and promotion of the indigenous culture, promotion of decent employment and income opportunities, promotion of gender equality, and environment and natural resources protection and rehabilitation. There are 4 indigenous communities involved in these projects in Mindanao, 2 in Occidental Mindoro, 2 in the Cordillera, and 1 in Zambales.