MANILA (Agenzia Fides): In October, which is dedicated to the protection of indigenous peoples in the Philippines, the Catholic Church organised various events, meetings, and local celebrations. These initiatives aimed to urge institutions to address the challenges faced by these communities as they strive to maintain their lives on ancestral lands, a way of life particularly threatened by mining exploitation.
The Philippines has become a significant player in the international market as a major supplier of raw materials for the global energy transition, particularly with its reserves of minerals like nickel, which is essential for electric car batteries.
However, this boom, coupled with mining concessions granted by the government in Manila to multinational companies, has led to the displacement of indigenous peoples and the destruction of their habitats.
They are increasingly deprived of their ancestral lands and livelihoods. According to the 2023 State of Indigenous Peoples Address report published by the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Centre [LRC], land and environmental conflicts have risen by six per cent within a year, affecting more than 70,000 additional hectares.
Resource conflicts, especially those related to mining, have a direct impact on the lives of indigenous peoples. The LRC highlights that between 2022 and 2023, over 45,000 indigenous people became victims of land theft in areas such as the islands of Palawan and Mindoro.
However, this boom, coupled with mining concessions granted by the government in Manila to multinational companies, has led to the displacement of indigenous peoples and the destruction of their habitats
In the mountainous Cordillera region, located in the north of Luzon island, the Philippine government has approved 99 hydroelectric projects as part of a broader initiative to develop renewable energy sources. These projects have divided rural communities; some believe the dams will generate jobs and bring in money, while others fear they will damage water sources and cultural sites.
The Philippines is home to an estimated 14 to 17 million indigenous people from 110 ethnic-linguistic groups. Across various regions, including the Cordillera, the Visayas, and the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao, these communities experience social discrimination, economic marginalisation, and political deprivation—issues that are worsened by mining activities that infringe upon their land rights. Over the past century, the Philippine government has increasingly taken land from indigenous peoples, often because it is rich in natural resources.
The country has begun to promote the dignity and rights of indigenous communities, partly due to the educational efforts of the Catholic Church and missionaries. Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, enacted in 1997, indigenous peoples have ownership rights to their ancestral lands if they obtain a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title.
These projects have divided rural communities; some believe the dams will generate jobs and bring in money, while others fear they will damage water sources and cultural sites
This certificate grants them the authority to approve or reject projects that affect their land, particularly in the mining sector. However, acquiring the certificate involves a lengthy bureaucratic process that often requires legal representation, a process many indigenous groups have yet to initiate.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
In 2003, the government declared October as “Indigenous Peoples’ Month,” establishing October 29 as a Day of Recognition for Indigenous Peoples, aimed at renewing the commitment to ensure fair treatment of these communities.
The Catholic Church in the Philippines, through the Episcopal Commission for Indigenous Peoples, Diocesan Groups, and Religious Institutes, is committed to listening to indigenous peoples, responding to their aspirations, and protecting their lives.
A notable example of this commitment is the awarding of the National Prize, named after Saint Teresa of Calcutta, to Sister Minerva Caampued for her 30 years of dedicated work on behalf of the indigenous Agta community in Cagayan. Her efforts have focused on environmental protection, healthcare, nutrition, and educational programmes.
