(LiCAS News): The Catholic Church in the Philippines raised concerns about threats to ancestral lands and the need for Free, Prior and Informed Consent [FPIC] as indigenous communities were the focus of Indigenous Peoples Sunday on October 11.
Aeta and Dumagat communities described their experiences and concerns at the Sitio Bacao event, according to the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples [ECIP].
According to the commission, the gathering highlighted environmental destruction, displacement, lost livelihoods, and the erosion of Indigenous cultural identity, CBCP News reported.
It reiterated the call for genuine FPIC and stronger protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in decisions affecting their communities and ancestral lands.
In an earlier interview, Bishop Moises Cuevas, head of the CBCP-ECIP, warned that FPIC was being weakened. “The problem with FPIC is that it has also been watered down,” Cuevas said.
I have visited about 18 to 20 indigenous communities across the Philippines, and what is beautiful is that they regard nature as belonging to God. Therefore, for them, nature deserves reverence, respect, and care rather than exploitation
Bishop Cuevas
He noted that consultation was needed to address concerns among Indigenous communities over land, watersheds, ecosystems, and livelihoods.
“There are many questions being raised across many communities. These difficult questions about watersheds, lands, coastal ecosystems and livelihoods must be answered. That is why consultation is necessary,” Cuevas said.
The Church sees Indigenous Peoples as partners in its mission, not just recipients of pastoral help, according to the commission.
“The Church recognises indigenous peoples not simply as recipients of pastoral assistance but as partners in the mission of the Church and custodians of creation,” the commission said.
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Cuevas observed that indigenous communities across the Philippines have a deep relationship with nature based on respect and care for creation.
The Church sees Indigenous Peoples as partners in its mission, not just recipients of pastoral help, according to the commission
“I have visited about 18 to 20 indigenous communities across the Philippines, and what is beautiful is that they regard nature as belonging to God. Therefore, for them, nature deserves reverence, respect, and care rather than exploitation,” he said.
The national observance included a session titled “Listening to the Indigenous Peoples: The Bacao Ayta Experience,” where Bacao Aytas and Dumagats discussed issues affecting their communities.
Church leaders, government officials, pastoral workers, and Indigenous Peoples took part.
The commission said Bacao also offers an example of indigenous resilience and environmental restoration through reforestation, agriculture and livelihood programs.
Some 1,000 Aeta families settled in Bacao after Mount Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption, with land allocated for their development through the Diocese of Cabanatuan and the military.
I have visited about 18 to 20 indigenous communities across the Philippines, and what is beautiful is that they regard nature as belonging to God. Therefore, for them, nature deserves reverence, respect, and care rather than exploitation
Bishop Cuevas
Since 2015, Aeta residents have joined a government-backed reforestation effort covering about 800 hectares.
Cuevas also cited an earlier campaign in Oriental Mindoro in which Indigenous Peoples, local communities, the Church and local officials opposed a proposed mining project
“Indigenous Peoples, local communities, the Church and local officials came together and resisted the proposed Mindoro Nickel project to protect the watersheds, agricultural lands, fragile ecosystems and coastal ecosystems,” he said.
The Indigenous Peoples Sunday programme also included messages from government and security officials, a dialogue on Indigenous rights and ancestral lands, an open forum, and a Eucharistic celebration.
