South Cotabato tribal leaders invoke right to development

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines  – Tribal leaders in this province have invoked their right to development as they continue to call upon the national government to ensure that the proposed Tampakan mining project proceeds as planned.

Ben Dalimbang, head of the Koronadal City tribal council, told a recent gathering of tribal chieftains from South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Sarangani that it is their right to aspire for sustainable development using all available resources.

“With the Tampakan project, we have the opportunity to achieve real and sustainable progress and we intend to invoke our right to this opportunity,” Dalimbang said.

He said the tribal communities here have been clamouring for real progress.

“We deserve more than dole-outs from government agencies, missionaries or NGOs,” he said.

Dalimbang also called on the national government to look into the real situation in the province, saying Malacañang must listen to the sentiments of the tribal communities hosting the proposed Tampakan mining project.

Dalimbang said South Cotabato tribal leaders will continue to study all options that can bring them development, including the proposed Tampakan mining project.

“We have prepared for this, we have been educating ourselves on the mining issues,” he said.

Dalimbang also said communities are now more vigilant in terms of ensuring that mining projects are done the right way.

Recently, they denounced allegations that they were receiving bribes from a mining company.