Philouise’s Weblog

Land and Development: Will the search for good life be the death of a few?

Hot issues today include land ownership, use and possession as well as issues on developmental fund access, use and management.   Olden times our people consider land, water and forest as free and beyond the commerce of man and for everyone’s use and benefit. From then to now; land, water and forest are now the objects portraying man’s greed, corruption and power struggles.  Likewise, dubious projects are conceptualized, funds are diverted and government agencies tasked to guard the people’s money are cohorts of corruption and taking away from the poor and needy what is due them to make their life better.

Presently, the struggle for maximum benefit and representation continue for people greatly affected by development projects. Projects are ingrained with controversies like the  billion pork barrel scam mastermind by Janet Napoles, blasting privileges of the 80 million drainage tunnel project from City Camp to Crystal Cave,  22 derivative titles within Busol watershed, millions used to address garbage problems “totoo nga, may pera sa basura”,  the unabated mining claims and the titling of  rivers and forest. These cause the death of people. Funds to increase medical and retirement benefits of our people are nowhere, thus “better life” is elusive to the greater majority.

It is also the lack of social services. When I was a councilor, every day two to ten people come to the office seeking medical assistance. This is so because the government lacks sufficient support for medical care. Every day we get solicitations for sports, education, trainings and all sorts. There is lack of holistic view of child care and survival literacy. In the city of Baguio, the Pantawid sa Pamilya program seemingly promotes city migration because beneficiaries are those who do not have houses in the city, meaning the migrants from the provinces and remote areas. It seemingly promotes illegal settlers and overcrowded boarding houses to thrive in the city.

Land is important for the identity and survival of the Igorots. Cordilleran Icon Macli-ing Dulag when asked about his title of the land said  “ how can you say that you own it when it outlives you. You ask if we own the land. You mock us. Where is your title? Where are the documents to prove that you own the land? Title. Documents. Proof. Such arrogance of owning land when you are owned by it. How can you own that which outlives you? Only the people own the land because only the people live forever. To claim a place is the birthright of everyone. The lowly animals claim their place, how much more of human beings. They are born to live….” On the issue of developing the Chico Dam he says “If you (government) in your search for the good life destroy life, we question it. We say those who need electric lights are not thinking of us who are bound to be destroyed. Or will the need for electric power be a reason for our death? ”

Major developmental projects include mega dams, large scale mining, multibillion development plants and the like.  A few days ago, Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) president, said that the country will not be able to meet the $16-billion mining investments target from 2004 to 2016 in light of the Aquino administration’s review of the industry’s tax regime. There are conflicting reactions, bad news for investors and capitalist of the industry; good news to the anti-mining advocates; mixed reactions from policy makers and legislators. 

            Generally, a few people or villages are sacrificed for the benefit of other people. In this lifetime, I have seen results of mass opposition to mega projects that changed the mind of development decision makers. I lived briefly in Bontoc and had the opportunity of visiting the villages that were supposed to have been submerged by Chico River mega dam. I have worked in Abra where a proposed multi-billion Cellophil project was the object of massive opposition, I have lived in Nepal and seen how the withdrawal of support by the World Bank from Arun III based on the recommendation of the inspection panel forced the government of Nepal to negotiate with the World Bank for the smaller, cheaper and better alternatives.

            In 1986, the UN General Assembly adopted a Declaration on the Right to Development, which states that “every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.”  In every case, the alternative to refrain from carrying out the project (the “non-action” alternative) should seriously be considered, and people’s needs and environmental protection must be given due weight in the decision-making process.”

Culture in its dynamism has changed how Indigenous peoples perspectives on the land and development. I believe that projects should be participatory and transparent, involving the directly affected people every step of a project. Necessary protection, environmental impacts are properly assessed and internal displacements must be minimized. Similarly, international laws should be translated into local legislation and guideline for optimum benefits from local projects and funds.  Development projects should not be seen in terms of money but total human and environmental development. It should not be expressed in terms of how much the project cost will be shared by those implementing or approving the projects. People’s taxes and foregone benefits should never go to destructive or ghost projects. Decision makers, not only God, should  hear the cry of our people. (Sept 13, 2013