Tampakan project seen as test case on IP marginalization

MANILA, Philippines - Fred Basino, indigenous peoples’ (IPs) representative to the Sarangani provincial council, decries the continuing marginalization of IPs in issues directly affecting them.

“The proposed Tampakan project will be a test case”, Basino said.

According to Basino, the IPs are provided with the right to economic and social development, right to ancestral domain, and the right to self-determination. But Basino said other laws seem to undermine these rights.

“The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) gives us the right to develop our ancestral domain, for example through the Tampakan project, but a provincial code prevents us from doing so”, Basino said.

“This is called continuing marginalization; the IPs continue to be excluded in discussions that matter to us”, Basino said.

Basino said it is important for tribal communities to be aware of their rights and put a stop to the continuing marginalization of indigenous people. He also said the IPs must be represented in every forum.

When South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy ran for office, he committed to appoint an IP representative to the South Cotabato provincial council. Yet, until now, no appointment has been made.

Basino said the South Cotabato provincial council has expressed its support for the proposed Tampakan project. He also said tribal communities in Sarangani also support the mining project.

“The economic development of the tribal communities needs support from other sectors and we need support for the Tampakan project”, Basino said.

“Other sectors have to understand that the IPs want to have a say in this discussion (Tampakan project issue) and that we have the right to participate in the decision making”, Basino said.

He also said that the all sectors pursue genuine partnership to ensure that the Tampakan project is done properly and according to existing laws and regulations.