(We yield this space to the statement of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples Rights due to its significance. – Ed.)
THIS YEAR’S observance of Earth Day underscores the importance of environmental protection and a healthy ecology as people on Earth face a deadly and far-reaching pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak and the measures imposed by the government to prevent its spread in the country have proven challenging for non-government organizations and indigenous peoples’ organizations alike. Organizations like the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights could have been in indigenous communities now learning from their experiences and struggles in protecting the environment.
This dry season is the most challenging for indigenous communities where hunger, drought and dwindling income are problems, even without a disease outbreak requiring a lockdown. From snippets of communications with networks and peoples’ organizations, the lockdown applied in the whole of Luzon and in some areas in Visayas and Mindanao has prevented economic activities in many indigenous communities. Ayta communities complained of difficulties in bringing their goods to the market to buy other food and household needs. Tumandok and Dumagat peoples decry the lack of relief and food aid, which they really need at this time, even without a contagion. As usual, social services hardly reach indigenous communities.
The government has provided a Social Amelioration Program for families who lost their livelihoods due to the community quarantine protocols set up to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But there has been no report or statement from them on how this aid has actually reached indigenous communities. We only heard the Department of Agriculture secretary William Dar say that idle lands of indigenous peoples will be used for food production in times of a nationwide crisis such as this. We are aware that many indigenous peoples have ancestral lands that they use for their own survival through farming and other traditional livelihoods. But we are skeptical that there are any idle lands to speak of in indigenous territories. What we know is that many ancestral lands are being converted into mines, plantations, large infrastructure and tourism areas to the detriment of indigenous communities.
In the course of implementation of measures to quell the spread of the coronavirus, age-old indigenous practices to protect their communities persist, such as the traditional practice of rest days. At the same time, violations against indigenous peoples’ rights are still happening through Martial Law-like operations.
Yes, the COVID-19 is deadly for everyone. But for indigenous peoples, there is nothing deadlier than the destruction of their ancestral lands, violation of their rights and deprivation in the delivery of social services.
Respect and uphold the rights of indigenous peoples, true defenders of the environment and of the Earth.
