Deep-rooted Disparities

Just as a tree cannot flourish without the strength of its roots, a nation can never be nurtured if not for the distinct cultural heritage and historical importance that its indigenous inhabitants bring. So, one can already imagine the sheer disparities that will stem from the uprooting of these vital links.

Last July 2026, Kara David’s I-Witness documentary, Ibinasurang Paraiso, brought a systemic issue to the limelight, as they discovered an illegal dumpsite situated within an ancestral domain belonging to an indigenous Aeta community in Sitio Tibag, Subic, Zambales. It featured tonnes of garbage and disposed waste haphazardly placed atop the very land that the Aetas have long owned and cultivated, as stipulated in their 1,308.81-hectare certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT). Other than severe desecration of the natural environment, the operational existence of such a dumpsite is likewise a blatant attack on the rights of the indigenous peoples (IPs) residing there, uprooting the same place they call home and which they have maintained for generations. 

At first glance, this issue may seem to only be a great disregard for the country’s ecosystems, using them as a means to supposedly ‘ease’ disposal management systems for nearby urban communities. Yet, at a magnified perspective, these so-called ‘beneficial’ initiatives would never have begun if government units and agencies actually had respect and awareness about the rightful owners of these sacred, ancestral terrains. Community projects cannot be considered as ‘beneficial’ if it only benefits a certain group or demographic and lays waste to others. It is not simply unfair; it is a heartless act that shows how, even in our modern age, IPs are still burdened with unjust conduct and alienated to the point that some even think they don’t deserve the same rights as more urbanized citizens.

The issues do not end there, however. This is only one major instance of injustice against IPs—one that never would have been acknowledged in the first place if not pushed into the media landscape with the help of community journalists like Ms. Kara. If there weren’t courageous voices to help uplift the cries and needs of the IPs, no actions would have been done, implying that the concerns of this marginalized group continue to be undermined and undervalued. Revelations like this raises serious questions on how IPs are still being treated and what deep-rooted issues lie beneath the surface which, from the looks of it, is worsening by the minute.

One of the major reasons that IPs and their Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) have become frequent targets of malicious acts is their unparalleled link to the rich bounties of the environment. Renowned as the earliest inhabitants of our archipelagic nation, IPs have lived in mutualism with the abundant biomes that they inhabit. According to the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), ancestral domains comprise about 85 percent of the Philippines’ Key Biodiversity Areas and 75 percent of its remaining forest cover. With such a huge number belonging to the IPs, and with global demand raising the need to obtain greater resources from nature, there is sure to be conflict. Still, if resources truly are the problem, agencies should ensure that they are obtained without degrading the deposits that they are from, and that no rights or vital territories are intruded. 

The incident that occurred at Sitio Tibag is an outright example of such an intrusion. Not only did the local government units not inform the nearby Aeta community about the construction of the dumpsite, they even promised them monetary compensation, ranging to 10,000 monthly, using that as a bargain in exchange for their precious land, whilst promising them that the dumpsite was merely a ‘temporary fix’. Now, the dumpsite’s operation has ceased, yet its contents are still there. And whilst investigations show that no Aetas were displaced, the impact that the dumpsite has on their livelihood, their hygiene, their safety, and their public welfare is undeniably real. 

Another contemporary issue would be the establishment of ‘developmental’ infrastructure in areas that may affect ICCs, most notably the US-led Pax Silica initiative. Though no concrete reports have been confirmed, there have been circulating discussions about what this AI-hub construction project will mean for the inhabitants of the affected areas, which also include its IPs. Even the Senate, notably Senators Pangilinan, has filed inquiries to scrutinize this initiative and determine the potential impact that it can have on ICCs. From this, it is clear that there are various prospects regarding the use of ancestral lands to establish structures allegedly made for ‘societal progression’. In any case, these initiatives must be taken with vigilance, mindfulness, and consideration of the IPs’ rights, knowing that the land is theirs and that boundaries must be duly respected.

Speaking of boundaries, IPs are protected by what is referred to as Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), which allows them to either permit or prohibit certain projects, laws, or activities that may affect their territorial rights or dismantle their livelihood. Although this special right exists, it may not be as helpful anymore, as Human Rights Watch, an international watchdog, reports major revamps in FPIC laws that may now constrict the rights of IPs nationwide. 

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) announced the revision last May 2026, and experts from Human Rights Watch commented that the new framework imposes stricter decision-making periods, bottlenecked assembly times, and standardized regulations. Though the thought behind the revision is somewhat commendable, it doesn’t take into consideration the limited resources and range of capacity that ICCs have. Thus, it takes away the idea of FPIC as a law that provides fairness and justice for IPs to exercise self-determination, since it focuses more on the government’s objectives and timelines.

What was meant to aid the progression of ICCs and strengthen their involvement in lawmaking or project development has now become a controlled experiment. Here, the government once again holds all the variables and indigenous citizens neither have a say in the revision nor do they have the power to counter it, since these limitations are already meant to be implemented. 

This covert change in an important rule designed to support IPs shows that no matter what happens, the government still holds the upper hand in how indigenous Filipinos live, work, and function as a whole. As infuriating as it may be, it is not exactly that surprising, since it merely depicts the harsh realities that IPs have continuously faced over the years. The issue lies in why these inequalities remain rampant, and why, after years of fighting for their rights, IPs are once again being twisted around the government’s fingers. 

Another issue also arises with the evident prejudice and discrimination that many IPs are still subjected to, even now. In July, waves of social media content filled with derogatory and demeaning remarks about IPs scoured the internet. This led to immediate action from the The Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines (TRICAP), who strongly condemned the said posts. Discrimination is already a malevolent act, but using it to strip away the respect for IPs within online platforms that can be accessed globally only takes it to the limit. 

Although inclusivity and diversity are recurring themes in the modern landscape, it makes me wonder why there are still biases and judgment against IPs. Indeed, the way IPs live, communicate, and work are evidently different from how urbanized communities do, which is undoubtedly the case, since we come from different backgrounds. Yet, at the end of the day, we are all Filipinos, and no matter the social status, financial capacity, or educational attainment, no minor characteristic should allow people to desecrate the dignity and debase the humanity of IPs, or anyone for that matter.

As a member of an indigenous community myself,, I can attest to the growing discrepancies between how people treat IPs differently. Though growing up in urban settings has gradually distanced me from my ancestral home, I continue to carry the roots of my cultural heritage as a crucial aspect of my identity. But because people deem me as not ‘obviously’ indigenous, I don’t receive as much discrimination as I know many of my indigenous brothers and sisters do. Being called names, being described using exclusive language, being underestimated for our capabilities: this is the hurtful reality that many IPs are forced to endure, even when they never asked for it in the first place.

Each indigenous community is distinct, yet every single one contributes to the growth of the country’s cultural diversity and traditional values. As such, they must be given the same amount of respect that every Filipino, or every living being, deserves. It’s painful to see how much IPs still have to prove simply to fight for their rights, to gain a voice in the matter, and to live a life without prejudice nor unequal treatment. 

Whatever the case may be, such impertinent behavior should never be condoned. Differences in culture, beliefs, and traditions cannot and should not make anyone feel ‘less Filipino’. What IPs are facing is exactly the opposite of the long-running bayanihan spirit that our communities continue to uphold. Whilst the rest of the country is focused on developing their future, ICCs are forced to fight silent battles everyday simply to preserve their past. 

Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, was curated and tailored to suit the needs of IPs in every aspect of life. But why is it that such an important law continues to get downplayed and disregarded, leaving the IPs as collateral damage in the process. Agencies like the NCIP and the TRICAP should take actionable initiatives to strengthen this vital law and allow for IPs to finally have a place at the centertable—a position that they should have been given generations ago, especially knowing that they were citizens of the country first. 

Yes, there are already countless projects and programs anchored on improving the lifestyle of IPs. But, amidst recent issues that have taken a toll on the IPs’ livelihoods, land, culture, and dignity, it is detrimentally insufficient. 

For years, IPs have served as the roots of Philippine civilization, which has allowed the country to flourish. Still, though the nation has grown into an abundant canopy, it must never forget its humble origins and always remember the first inhabitants who have longed nurtured our heritage. Indigenous communities are the pieces of our past that remain strong and unmoved, and in the pursuit of nationwide growth, it is high time to finally get rid of these deep-rooted disparities.