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Buaya tribe says no to CEXI

Minerals Action Plan implementation

BALBALAN, Kalinga (Nov. 19) — The Buaya tribe seeks support from various concerned groups and individuals to redress their issue on Cordillera Exploration Incorporated’s (CEXI) application to conduct two-year renewable mineral exploration within theirancestral land domain.

The National Commission on Indigenous People here (NCIP-Kalinga) had instigated the CEXI for a regular free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process to the said tribe from April 28 to October 30.

However, the tribe expressed its strong opposition to the said application. During the October Provincial Mining Conference in Bulanao, Tabuk, eighteen (18) members of Buaya presented copies of their two petitions with legitimate reasons and grounds to NCIP-Kalinga.

The Conference afterward declared its support to the tribe’s petitions. They apprenhended the possible adverse effects of CEXI’s intention to their ancestral resources and to the downstream areas and communities.

In a joint statement by Kalinga Agkaykaysa a Salakniban Aglawlaw ken Gameng (KALASAG), Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon iti Kalinga (TMK), and Kalinga Adhoc Committee on Mining Advocacy, they expressed their agitation when the NCIP-Kalinga still facilitated the presentation and signing of a drafted Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and FPIC certification regarding CEXI’s application.

NCIP-Kalinga has authorized the application though more than majority of the Buaya tribe are against it. Buaya tribal elders said, “The signature of those in the MOA and FPIC certification do not represent the consent of our tribe. Because most of them (signatures) are not from legitimate elders and representatives. Most of them are young ones or not residing either in barangay Tawang or Buaya.”

The tribe then sent letters to the appropriate venues. They seek proper action and concern from NCIP-CAR Regional Director and Central Office, Officer and Commissioners of Ancestral Domain, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Kalinga congressional representative, the governor, the Balbalan mayor, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

KALASAG calls on to NCIP-Kalinga regional director should ‘convince the people of its sincere commission to work out and promote indigenous peoples rights, welfare and interest.’

KALASAG is a broad alliance of non-government peoples and civil organizations concerned for the defense of people’s lands, life and resources in the midst of phenomenal oppressive laws and programs. # Pink-Jean Fangon Melegrito for NORDIS

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