By Junex Doronio

MANILA – House Deputy Majority Leader, ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, is set to file a resolution on Monday, October 21, 2024, calling for an inquiry into PHILSAGA Mining’s alleged violations of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) rights over their ancestral lands in Consuelo and San Andres, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

Tulfo, along with fellow ACT-CIS partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, is urging the House Committees on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, and on Natural Resources to conduct a joint inquiry. The inquiry will focus on strengthening Republic Act 8371, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, in relation to RA 7942, the Philippine Mining Act.

Tulfo revealed that his office had received a complaint from Mary Jane Rodrigo Hallasgo and Amatorio Rodrigo, representing the Rodrigo clan of Bunawan, members of the Manobo tribe, who claim ownership of the land in Consuelo and San Andres.

“They reported that PHILSAGA Mining took their land, and their community hasn’t received any compensation,” Tulfo said in a statement.

“We cannot allow the rights of our Indigenous Peoples to be abused. From the start, we have been vigilant about protecting their rights. Too often, they lack a voice, especially against large corporations, which is why many turn to us Tulfos for help,” he added.

In their draft resolution, the lawmakers emphasized that the Philippines recognizes and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities (ICC) to their ancestral lands. The state is mandated to apply agrarian reform principles and stewardship in the management of natural resources, with priority given to the rights of indigenous communities.

“The IPs were denied their rights to their ancestral land, its natural resources, and royalty shares from the mining operations,” the resolution stated.

It further noted that PHILSAGA Mining’s operations have permanently depleted the resources of the ancestral land, causing harm to the rightful ICC/IPs, who are entitled to royalty shares.

Tulfo said reports suggest that PHILSAGA officers are aware of the Rodrigo clan’s claims, as the mining operations take place in their area, yet the royalty shares continue to be delivered to another sector.

“The situation indicates a clear disregard for, and possibly abuse of, the rights of the Rodrigo clan, as well as the Omaobau clan, by officers of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and PHILSAGA Mining Corp., who may be acting in conspiracy for personal gain, particularly in the distribution of royalty shares,” the resolution said.

The resolution also pointed out that many ICC/IP groups remain impoverished, uneducated, and lacking access to effective legal assistance, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Therefore, greater legal protection is necessary.

“We are urging the committees to promptly conduct an inquiry to safeguard the rights of IP communities,” Tulfo concluded.

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