On 28-30 October 2019, the Commission on Human Rights co-organized an international conference on human rights at Subic Bay Freeport Zone, together with the Forest Peoples Programme, Philippine Association for Inter-cultural Development, and Tebtebba. The event was attended by representatives from indigenous peoples organizations, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), academe, business and civil society organizations (CSOs) from the South and Southeast Asian regions. The event coincided with the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371) in the Philippines through the observance of the Indigenous Peoples’ Month set every October of the year. The main theme of the conference is on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of business activities, particularly in special economic zones. Related to this are discussions on the risks and opportunities of renewable energy projects particularly if they are located at ancestral domains or directly affect indigenous peoples. The overarching theme of gender and development is also part of the agenda.

Participants from indigenous communities shared their struggles, and narrated instances when governments and business enterprises pursue development projects that resulted to adverse impacts to biodiversity, conflicts in the communities, and violations of human rights. The common problem is the situation when the government interests and plans are contrary to the needs, interest and realization of the rights of the local indigenous communities.

Indigenous communities strongly clamor to be involved in the decision-making process of the government, pursuant to their right to self-determination, albeit not without challenges. The role of CSOs and NHRIs in empowering indigenous communities were recognized. The participants called on governments to change investment priorities to reduce the focus on mega-infrastructure projects and invest instead on community-based smaller scale renewable energy systems, linked to sustained livelihoods. Renewable energy includes a broad range of possible projects and actions, from hydropower and geothermal projects, to biofuel production, wind and solar energy, among others.

More so, discussion on gender focused on understanding that it addresses unequal power relations within human societies, which stem from relative marginalization from power in many cases. For instance, lesser women than men are deemed owners of properties, such as land and resources, in the region. Women also face specific forms of vulnerability in situations of militarization and conflict. However, there are some instances that demonstrated a growing leadership roles by indigenous women.

With all these, the participants expressed solidarity for all the indigenous peoples who continuously struggle for the full realization of their rights, such as in the Philippine provinces of Palawan, Quezon, Nueva Viscaya, and Aurora. In Palawan, the indigenous representatives spoke of the division in their community and destruction of their forests caused by the company that pursues a massive coconut plantation. In Quezon, the Dumagat tribe challenged the proposed Kaliwa Dam and asserted that they never gave any consent for such project. The same lack of consent was manifested for the proposed extension of the mining operations of OceanaGold in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya, and the operations in Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO). On the other hand, the participants learned from the successful efforts of the Aetas Ambala in Pastolan village and the Aetas of Magbukun in Kanawan village, both in the Province of Bataan to secure certificates of ancestral domain titles.The Aetas are now advocating for recognition of their governance over their ancestral domains and for equitable benefit-sharing with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The CHR continues to monitor the situation of indigenous peoples in the Philippines and engage the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, among other agencies of the State, to ensure that indigenous rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. ▪ ️

Contact Person:
Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Spokesperson
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 0908 875 3637
Email Address: comms.chr@gmail.com