Aeta leader hits CDC for ancestral land use issues

MABALACAT CITY -- A leader of the Tribung Aeta has assailed the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for allegedly using ancestral land without prior consent from the tribal council.

Ruvielane Margarito, an ex-officio member of City Council representing the Aeta tribe in the city, hit the CDC during her privilege speech during the recent city council session.

Margarito claimed that CDC conducted quarry operations in areas communally owned by Aetas under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title 025 along Sacobia and Marimla rivers.

CDC continued quarrying the rivers without the prescribed fee and prior informed consent (FPIC) to the Sanggunian Tribung Aeta as mandated by the law and permits from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from April 26, 2000 to June 26, 2017, and collected permit fees and various charges and processing fees amounting to about P1.2 billion.

CDC also conducted leasing and sub-leasing business operations including the management, development, control and utilization of more than 10,000 hectares of ancestral lands under CADT RO3-BAM-1104-025 sans FPIC.

This, Margarito said, is a “blatant violation” of Republic Act Number 8371 otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.

The lady councilor said that 18 private locators and investors paid CDC at least P2 billion based on the information on reported payments.

She said that Korea CC alone paid the CDC P550 million while BB International P350 million.

CDC Communications department manager Noel Tulabut dismissed Margarito’s allegations.

He said that CDC's dealings in Clark have always been transparent and the executive actions are also reported to the Board of Directors pursuant to the principle of checks and balance.

“We have always maintained an open line of communication with the Aetas. In fact, various chieftains and leaders have attended meetings in CDC,” Tulabut said.

“In one meeting presided by one CDC director, our Aeta brethren have been apprised of various developments within the CADT area which CDC has always acknowledged to be an ancestral domain, the CDC official added.

In a very significant meeting held several weeks ago, the indigenous people were given a briefing on activities that redound to some benefits and accruals for the Aeta community as a whole. Sun.Star Philippines