ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) – Indigenous peoples (IPs) in the island of Panay will bring to the attention of concerned government agencies here their apprehensions on major projects proposed for implementation in their areas.

Tapaz, Capiz-based Tumanduks (Ilonggo term for original settlers or indigenous persons) chairperson Roy Giganto said some 600 IPs in Panay are expected to gather on Oct. 28-30 in Calinog, Iloilo where they will discuss and formulate plans on their position against mining, and the proposed establishment of dams in Calinog and Lambunao towns.

Giganto said they welcome any project that will be established in their area as long as these will not endanger the safety and lives of the IPs and likewise if the latter may also be benefited from its implementation.

Three barangays each in Calinog and Lambunao are said to be directly affected by the proposed dam. The IPs, through Giganto, expressed apprehension about the possibility of their being displaced by the construction of these dams or the danger that such projects pose on their lives and properties.

They cited that despite the moratorium on mining passed by the Capiz provincial government, there remains several mining applications filed with the province by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Likewise they reiterated their appeal that the over 30-hectare property declared as military reservation be returned to them because its declaration was anchored on erroneous grounds.

The Tumandoks are referring to an area covering 24 villages with a total size of 33,310 hectares of cultivated land, grasslands and prime forests along the Pan-ay River which have been inhabited for more than a century now by the Tumanduks. The reservation was declared through Presidential Proclamation 67 by then President Diosdado Macapagal in 1962 on the premise that it was uninhabited.

Giganto said the Tumanduks will be drafting position papers and resolutions addressed to local government units, concerned agencies and the highest official of the land during the said three-day assembly to be held towards month’s end.