MANILA, Philippines - Controversy has surrounded the Eco-Academy Project of Bantay Kalikasan of the ABS-CBN Foundation in Brooke’s Point, Palawan when a leader of one indigenous people (IP) federation accused the organization of forcibly taking over sacred ancestral land and cutting 25 trees. The group is asking for P2.3 million in damages and litigation fees.
Unfazed by the accusation, ABS-CBN Foundation managing director and environmentalist Gina Lopez stood her ground and defended the presence of the organization in Brooke’s Point.
“The majority of Brooke’s Point’s residents do not want mining in their area, what the foundation is doing is presenting the community alternative livelihood sources by promoting ecotourism,” Lopez said.
She questioned the motives and agenda of the group. “This is the same group that endorsed mining inside Mt. Matalingahan. This is the same group that did not do anything when there was garbage, broken bottles and drinking in the area,” she said.
The ABS-CBN Foundation denied cutting trees. An evaluation done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) identified several dead and dying trees as being hazardous.
In the interest of the community, the local government, along with the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) and DENR representatives, carried out the clearing activities.
Lopez said, “ Why did not this group complain when thousands of living trees were in danger of being cut due to mining and hundreds were cut due to mining exploration? Now that the place is clean and indigenous culture is being explained to all, this group says we are violating the sacredness of the place. How about the sacredness that will be violated when enormous holes are dug – endangering rivers and agricultural lands nearby? ”
The Bantay Kalikasan Eco-Academy is a joint venture of the municipality of Brooke’s Point and the ABS-CBN Foundation.
A memorandum of agreement among the foundation, the municipality and the Sangguniang Bayan allows the foundation to develop the Sabsaban Falls in Brooke’s Point into an ecotourism area.
While the local government has been promoting the falls as a tourist destination for decades, it is now being used as a venue where people can learn indigenous culture, cuisine, and biodiversity.
The project is backed up by a resolution made by 183 indigenous people (IP). In fact, the IP community living near the falls agreed to co-manage the project, recognizing that it will ensure the sustainability of the ecotourism site.
“It is not a business; all proceeds revert back to the community. The intention is to send a strong message that taking care of the environment can uplift the lives of people by providing alternative livelihood that ensure the preservation of biodiversity,” Lopez said.