Indigenization in the Local Legislature: Probing the Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representation in Ilocos Region

Abstract

One cannot talk about society without discussing its people cumulatively builds up the population. However, equality has always been a difficult idea to attain. This multi-method approach in qualitative inquiry study entitled “indigenization in the local legislature: probing the indigenous people’s mandatory representation in ilocos region” aims to shed light on the current challenges, conditions, and issues experienced by ethnic groups in terms of political representation. A total of six participants mostly from the high-land ethnic groups of Region One were interviewed through the use of the semi-structured type wherein the gathered data was subjected to thematic analysis that yielded the following themes: Political experience in the realms of the IP community, Socio-cultural belongingness and identity and Political Burned out. Results discussed that despite the ongoing issue of discrimination-isolation against indigenous people. The implementation of Indigenous People Mandatory Representation of IPRA 1997 has somehow produced positive results in alleviating the identity of ethnic groups in the Philippines thus shifting the societal perspective towards ethnic minorities.