Senator Erwin Tulfo has exposed an alleged maltreatment of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in National Capital Region (NCR) of several indigenous peoples from Taytay town in Palawan who shipped rattan, locally known as yantok, to Metro Manila.
In his privilege speech, Tulfo injustice suffered by Tagbanua-Cuyonon members who transported yantok to their buyer in Luzon.
“Today the representative of the people will not turn a blind eye to the continuing injustice suffered by our indigenous people. Recently, we witnessed a shameful incident. A shipment of rattan harvested legally and in good faith by our indigenous brothers in Palawan was confiscated by DENR NCR in Palawan upon its arrival in Manila. The justification? It allegedly exceeded the weight limit. What happened next? The rattan was confiscated and was left to rot. Let me tell you this: while you DENR are busy punishing indigenous people over a few kilos of rattan some mining companies in Gutalac Zamboanga del Norte and in Narra Palawan are getting away with environmental destruction and outright exploitation,” he boomed on the plenary hall.
Tulfo then demanded that the DENR officials in the national capital be summoned to appear before the Senate.
“Mr. President, let it be clear, indigenous peoples are not the enemies of our forest; they are their guardians. I demand accountability, Mr. President. The DENR officials who are responsible for this abuse must be summoned here. They must explain why they treat our indigenous peoples like criminals, while turning a blind eye to the large scale destruction of our environment by corporations who can pay their way out of the law,” Tulfo argued.
Several senators expressed their support to Senator Tulfo, including Senator Robin Padilla who insisted that rights be accorded to the IPs and the government must ensure that these rights are safeguarded.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said that in his home province of Bukidnon, 35 percent of the people are IPs.
Senator Loren Legarda added that indigenous peoples do not deserve maltreatment and abuse.
“I am one with you in asking the DENR to explain for the alleged maltreatment of our indigenous people from Taytay Palawan, sila po ang mga orihinal na Pilipino, kaya hindi sila dapat imaltrato o abusuhin,” Legarda said.
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