HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader, ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, announced plans to file a resolution on Monday (Oct. 21) calling for an inquiry into PHILSAGA Mining’s alleged violation of Indigenous Peoples (IP) rights in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
Tulfo, alongside fellow ACT-CIS representatives Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, will file the resolution urging the House Committees on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples and Natural Resources to conduct a joint inquiry.
The inquiry aims to strengthen Republic Act 8371, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, in relation to RA 7942, the Philippine Mining Act.
The resolution stems from a complaint filed by Mary Jane Rodrigo Hallasgo and Amatorio Rodrigo, representing the Rodrigo clan of the Manobo tribe in Bunawan. They allege that PHILSAGA Mining has seized their ancestral lands in Consuelo and San Andres without proper compensation.
“They were denied their rights over their ancestral land, its natural resources, and royalty shares from the mining operation conducted in their land,” the resolution stated.
“The mining operations of PHILSAGA Mining Corp. permanently deplete the resources of the ancestral land to the detriment of the rightful ICC/IPs who are entitled to royalty shares.”
“Sumbong nila, inagawan na sila ng lupa ng nasabing minahan wala pa silang natanggap kahit magkano para sa kanilang komunidad,” Tulfo said in a statement.
“Hindi natin pwedeng payagan na maabuso ang karapatan ng ating mga kapatid na IPs dahil umpisa pa lamang ay ito na ang isa sa palagi nating binabantayan, ang mga karapatan ng ating mga katutubo. Kadalasan kasi ay wala silang boses lalo na laban sa malalaking kumpanya, kaya sa aming magkakapatid na Tulfo sila madalas lumalapit,” Tulfo added.
Tulfo expressed concern that despite the mining operations being conducted directly in the Rodrigo clan’s territory, the company allegedly delivers royalty shares to contracted sectors instead of the rightful beneficiaries.
The resolution highlights the need to protect vulnerable IP communities from exploitation and ensure that their rights are upheld. It calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged abuses and the distribution of royalty shares by PHILSAGA and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
“We urged the said committees to immediately conduct an inquiry to protect the rights of the IP communities,” Tulfo said.
