The Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997 (Philippines)

The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) recognizes the right of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to their ancestral domains. These refer to areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs comprising of lands, inland waters, coastal areas and the natural resources located therein, held under a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed by the ICCs/IPs. It recognized the ICCs/IPs' right to self-governance and empowerment, right to be free from any form of discrimination, right to equal protection, opportunity and treatment, right to the protection, and preservation of their culture. The IPRA created the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, which is mandated as the lead government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies in accordance with the Act.