Brothers and sisters, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1906 signed in 2009, we celebrate in October the National Indigenous Peoples Month. We are all urged to recognize the important contribution of the katutubo or natives in nation-building. At the start of this month, let us know the issues our native brothers and sisters are facing that are usually overlooked by most everyone.
First, we cannot deny the suffering experienced by the native children amid the chaos in the country, particularly in Mindanao. In July, almost 60 Lumad schools were suspended by Department of Education because of their alleged deviation from the basic curriculum, and for supposedly teaching students to rebel against the government. Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, an NGO running the schools for the Lumad, denied these claims. According to their statement, they are saddened because of the “militaristic approach” breaching on the rights of the Lumad children to study. Because of this issue that the native schools are facing, the Lumads are even more neglected.
In truth, from the Save Our Schools Network, there are 43 cases of the authorities dispatching soldiers to schools in Mindanao where the troops use the schools as camps. They also recorded almost 300 cases of harassment by government forces to the schools’ staff, with 13 of these cases ending in murder.
Meanwhile, our fellow native Agtas, Dumagats and Remontados continue to fight together against the government’s push of the Kaliwa Dam Project. It is said that this project will address Metro Manila’s water problem. However, many experts have claimed that the project is too expensive and goes against the environment. The project will also cover almost 3,000 hectares of ancestral domains of the natives inhabiting parts of Quezon and Rizal. Approximately 10,000 families, including natives, will be affected if the project proceeds.
The killing of environmental protectors is also an issue, including the natives who share great responsibility in preserving nature. According to the latest report by Global Witness, almost 3 out of 10 people killed protecting nature and the environment of the country were natives.
Brothers and sisters, the right to study, the security of having a home and livelihood, and the right to live are just some of the primary rights we deny our fellow natives. It is clear from the social teachings of the Church: “The relationship of indigenous peoples to their lands and resources deserves particular attention, since it is a fundamental expression of their identity.” The natives, even with different cultures and beliefs, were created with the likeness of God. They have dignity that must be protected.
In the closing of the Lumad schools, are they not pushed to join with the rebel groups? Through enforcing projects that only some will benefit from, will it not set the natives aside from the development we are hoping for? How will they live if we take their lands? In their care for our environment, shouldn’t we be more thankful to them instead of letting them be killed by those who seek to abuse nature?
Brothers and sisters, in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month, let us join the calling of the natives. We may have different beliefs and ways of life, but we ultimately share great similarities. We both have rights and dignity that should be addressed. We must become these natives’ voices in the midst of cruelty and neglect. As the book of Proverbs 3:18 encourages: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
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