The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the Davao Region (NCIP-Davao) has taken a firm stance against illegal quarrying, emphasizing that Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders involved in such activities will not receive legal protection. This declaration underscores the commissionโs commitment to upholding the Indigenous Peoplesโ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 and preserving ancestral lands.
NCIP-Davao Regional Director, Atty. Geroncio Aguio, delivered this message during an ambush interview at the sidelines of the 1st Mindanao Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Conference on November 20, 2024.
โUnder IPRA, we are obligated to follow the law. If there is a violation, those responsible must face the consequences,โ Aguio stated. He urged leaders to refrain from unlawful practices, emphasizing that the NCIP will not defend anyone found guilty of breaking the law.
Illegal Quarrying Hurts Communities, Not Just Land
Aguio highlighted a troubling pattern: some IP leaders profit individually from illegal quarrying deals while their communities are left to suffer the consequences.
โSometimes, these leaders negotiate with illegal operators, pocketing the profits while the community gains nothing,โ he revealed. Such activities often devastate ancestral domains, areas meant to be protected and nurtured for future generations.
The director stressed the importance of following the proper permitting process, which not only ensures compliance with the law but also generates income for tribes and local government units (LGUs) through taxes and royalties.
โWithout permits, thereโs no Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), no contracts, and ultimately no income for the community,โ Aguio explained.
Protecting Ancestral Lands and Upholding FPIC
The FPIC, a cornerstone of the IPRA law, safeguards IP communities by requiring their informed consent before any resource extraction within their territories. This provision empowers tribes to negotiate fair agreements with businesses, ensuring that projects benefit the community without compromising their ancestral lands.
However, illegal activities bypass this process, often involving not just unscrupulous operators but also barangay officials who facilitate the sale of land within protected domains.
Aguio revealed that the NCIP is working with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to crack down on violators.
13 Arrested for Illegal Quarrying in Protected Area
Aguioโs warning comes in the wake of a recent operation where 13 individuals were apprehended for their alleged involvement in illegal quarrying near the Tamugan River in Marilog District, a protected natural resource in Davao. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in preserving ancestral domains from exploitation.
The NCIPโs resolve to combat these illegal practices sends a strong message: ancestral lands are not for sale, and leaders who betray their communities for personal gain will face the full force of the law.
โOur duty is to protect these lands, not only for today but for the generations to come,โ Aguio concluded.
About The Author
