What's nature without people taking care of it? Surely, this has been something in the mind of Senator Loren Legarda last August 12 when she did a privilege speech on National Indigenous Peoples day. She deem these communities have centuries worth of experience in these vast areas they reside on and should take this as an advantage in making sure they are well taken cared of.
Senator Legarda adds "They are after all the ones who could take good care of it, toil, first hand, especially if we are taking lengths to make efforts for the environment and nature. We need to harness their expertise since they have their families in these communities, one that could do work and benefit our country. They live and breathe in nature, this we have to make sure."
In recent reports by the world bank, she mentions how "No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines" painted a huge picture about the ancestral domains that includes over 44 percent of land in the country, where only 17 percent have been approved of.
She reiterated the need to support them and recognize how huge their contributions are for the cause. She also wants their rights to be protected. If you would want to know more about her efforts, you may follow her social channels where she discusses these lengthily especially on FB.