A Philippine lawmaker on Monday urged tour operators to obtain the consent of indigenous communities before incorporating their cultural practices into tourism activities, following concerns over the promotion of Sagada's traditional Panag-apoy ritual as a tourist attraction.

In a statement, Party-list Rep. Menchie "Ching" B. Bernos, vice-chairperson of the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, said indigenous traditions should not be treated as spectacles for visitors, stressing their religious and cultural significance to the communities that observe them.

"These are not spectacles for enjoyment but rather sacred practices deeply rooted in faith and community," Ms. Bernos said.

Sagada, a municipality in Mountain Province in the northern Philippines' Cordillera region, observes Panag-apoy during Undas, the annual commemoration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in which Filipino families honor deceased loved ones. The Sagada tradition involves lighting saeng, or pine fatwood, to pay tribute to departed family members. Undas ranks among the busiest travel periods on the Philippine calendar as families return to their hometowns, and Sagada has long been one of the Cordillera's most visited destinations, known for its limestone caves, hanging coffins and mountain scenery.

Her remarks followed reminders from Sagada officials and residents against promoting Panag-apoy as a tourist attraction during the recent Undas commemoration. Some tour operators had previously offered sightseeing packages allowing visitors to witness the practice.

She said the incident highlighted the need to revisit tourism protocols involving indigenous peoples (IPs), particularly to ensure that commercial activities do not encroach on their cultural practices or offend community members.

"Indigenous practices and traditions are interesting to both local and international tourists, however, we must ensure that tourist activities do not encroach on these traditions or offend IP members," she said. "All tourism involving IPs must be anchored on consent," she added.

Under Philippine law, the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371) recognizes the right of indigenous cultural communities to free, prior and informed consent over projects and activities affecting their ancestral domains. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the agency created under the law, administers the process through which communities grant or withhold that consent.

Ms. Bernos also underscored the importance of regular communication between tourism stakeholders and indigenous communities in developing activities that allow visitors to learn about local cultures without compromising the traditions being observed. For operators offering culturally oriented packages, her statement points to the consent framework under RA 8371 as the benchmark for itineraries that touch on indigenous practices.

— Pexcel John Bacon, BusinessWorld

Source: BusinessWorld