Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities are urging government officials to listen, feel, and understand their environmental challenges due to illegal natural practices on their natural heritage.
During the Peace with Creation 2025 Forum held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Medicine Auditorium last October 11, four individuals from various indigenous groups shared their experiences and knowledge about their natural resources and heritage situation.
Mr. Raven Desposado, a youth coordinator of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and Takder - Cordillera Youth Movement for Democracy and Prosperity, emphasized that visiting the communities that were greatly affected by illegal environmental practices would help the officials to understand their current situations.
He also said that a systematic process of mining is important to ensure the safety of their natural resources without compromising the economic efficiency of the country.
However, Mr. Desposado articulated that this approach is not visible in the country, as large illegal mining activities are still happening nowadays.
Additionally, Mr. Sonny Calara Jr., chairperson of the UGBON (Katutubong Kabataang Umuugat sa Kabundukan ng Sierra Madre), a youth organization of Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc., encouraged everyone to use technologies to promote environmental protection, especially in Sierra Madre, which served as a protector of the country from super typhoons and storm surges.
Mr. Calara Jr. also invited everyone to utilize social media platforms as a tool to raise awareness about IP’s rights to their natural heritage.
Furthermore, Ms. Eufemia Cullamat emphasized that 134 out of 298 environmental defenders in Mindanao were killed from 2012 to 2023.
According to her, Lumad school leaders and activists were also murdered by paramilitary forces, based on a case study of the Lianga Massacre (2015 & 2021).
Because of this, more than 200 Lumad schools have been forcibly closed since 2020.
10,000 students have also been denied in their education due to state harassment.
Ms. Angelika Moral, one of the students from Lumad schools, encouraged everyone to use their education today as a powerful tool to protect the environment against illegal activities.
The forum this year was represented by a dove carrying an olive branch, which calls everyone to take action in protecting Mother Earth so that peace will happen between people and the Creator.
