struggle against the~aj~ regim~andaskedwhether relations ofanykindwere stillmaintained withSouthAfrica. 273.Members soughtedditional information concerning theimplementation of article 4oftheConvention, especially inconnection withtheapplication of DecreeNo.1350-A. 274.Concerning article 5oftheConvention, members oftheCommittee sought additional information, notablystatistics, ontheethuiccomposition ofthe country. Notingthat,according tothereport, 110ethnicgroupslivedinthe Philippines, theyaskedhowthatcouldbereconciled withthestatement that Filipinos werealldescended fromasingleracialetock. Theyalsoaskedwhatwere thelivingconditions ofthemembers oftheindigenous communities, notably those intheislands ofLuzon,whatmeasures hadbeentakenbytheGovernmvnt fortheir benefit, whatareaofancestral landswasintheprocess ofbeingrestored tothem, whatlandtenurearrangements applied inthatrespect, whether educational establishments offering instruction intheirlanguages hadbeenestablished and whether legalaidwasgranted tothem.Clarifications werealsorequested -55-regarding thevarious autonomous regions, including Mindanao, andtheoffices responsible fortheinterests ofthecultural communities, particularly asregards th~ircompoBition andfunctions, theexactmeaning oftheterms"cultural communities", theprogramme relating totheShariah mentioned inthereportandthe guaranteeing oftherighttowork.Lastly,itwasaskedwhatmeasures hadbeen takentoguarantee theequalaccessofminority groupstopublicservice andto incroase theirrepresentation ingovernmental positions. 275.Additional information wasrequested concerning theapplication ofarticle 7 oftheConvention, particularly asregards educational projects described inthe reportaspromoting peace. 276.Inreplytoquestions raisedbymembers oftheCommittee, therepresentative oftheStatepartyreferred tovestiges ofcolonialism lhatstillexisted in practice andexplained thatuntilrecently discriminatory recruitment practices had beenpursued bysomeforeign companies. furthermore, thosepractices hadbeen exacerbated bysometimes largedifferentials inremuneration. Thosepractices whichhadcausedseveral strikes hadnowbeendealtwitabythelabourlaws. Moreover, theGovernment wasworking onpractical programmes toimplement the constitutional provisions onsocialjustice, equality, humanrightsandthe attainment ofajustandhumanesociety. Acomprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme hadtherefore beenadopted topromote equality andtheelimination ofpovert~, free highschooleducation hadbeengranted forallandresources hadbeenallocated to alleviate thelotofthelowest 30percentofthepopulation intermsofincome. Sheemphasized, however, thatthehugeforeign debtimpaired thepattern of development chosenbythePhilippines. 277.Withreference tospecific questions concerning theinsur9~ncy, the representative explained thaloneoftheresults ofthearmedconflict wasthe displacement ofpersons duetovoluntary evacuatIons. Shedrewattention tothe economic effects ofinsurgency andcounter-insurgency activities andstated, iA~~, thataccesstolivelihood sources hadbecomeverydifficult forsome tribes. Theinsurgency waslosingitsappealinthecountryside forseveral reasons, including thediscovery ofmassgravesofpersons considered tobe defectors fromtheNewPeople's Army,andkillings byunitsoperating inurban areas. Referring totheTripoli Agreement between theGovernment ofthe Philippines andtheMuslimLiberation front, sheexplained thatithadrecently beenimplemented byalawproviding forthecreation ofanautonomous regionin Mindanao. Thatlawwould, however, notenterintoforceuntilithadreceived majority approval inaplebiscite tobeheldintheproposed autonomous region. SheaddedthattheGovernment ofMus\im Mindanao wouldbeempowered tolegislate on administrative organization, revenue sources, planning development, national resources andprotection oftheregion's cultural heritage andthat,asaresultof peacetalks, anexecutive ordercreating aseparate Cordilleras regionunderthe leadership ofthepeopleoftheCordilleras themselves hadbeensigned. 27B.Withreference toarticle 3oftheConven~ion, therepresentative oftheState
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in the Philippines. The discussion revolves around the government's efforts to address issues related to indigenous communities, social justice, and human rights. The representative of the State party mentions various initiatives and programs aimed at promoting equality, alleviating poverty, and protecting the rights of minority groups.

**Category**
Culture, Education, Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief