new post on facebook via ogc twitter the Coalition of Communities for Sustainable Development of Didipio It's very long and I am tired. But this part is interesting : (it's all interesting )
With regard to the issue of failure to conduct Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) by the Company as requirement prior to commencement of the project, we are fully aware as original residents of Didipio that our homeland is not part of an ancestral domain by any tribe. With this, there is no need for an FPIC. However, we attest that we have given our consent for the project. How? We, the inhabitants/residents of this community are majority from the Tuwali Tribe who migrated from Ifugao in the early 1960s. The Company conducted series of community consultations explaining about the project through public meetings, small group/purok meetings and household engagements. The majority of the IP residents gave their support for the project and thus, the barangay officials then endorsed the project. A memorandum of agreement between the barangay (represented by the barangay council) and the Company was signed containing the responsibilities of both parties, commitments of the Company to the people of Didipio and the community’s support to the project.
The controversies and hot issues generated about the renewal was the handwork of these NGOs who are opposed to the renewal of the FTAA. The human rights allegations which have been answered, clarified and refuted several times in various discussions are again being brought up. They are using this as an avenue not only to oppose the renewal of the Company’s FTAA but to rally against the Philippine government which is usually their ultimate purpose. They have capitalized on our silence before, but we are now here to speak the truth to protect our community and support the Philippine government. These NGOs are outsiders who know nothing about the situation of the IPs in our place. A few of the members consisting of not even 10% of the Tuwali tribe in Didipio, maybe residents of Didipio but their cause is based on vested/personal interest which we believe can be addressed reasonably. We are personally knowledgeable of their issues.