CLARK FREEPORT – The absence of a clear cut policy covering the agreement between the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Aetas on the use of the 10,648-hectare Clark Highlands adjacent to this freeport is now causing unrest among the tribal folk.
This developed as CDC security forces clashed recently with Aetas who resisted the demolition of a structure at the Sacobia River used by the former for manufacturing concrete hollow blocks.
At the initial holding of “Balitaan” by the Capampangan in Media Inc. at the Bale Balita here last Friday, Robert Serrano, tribal leader of the Mabalacat Aeta Tribal Association (MATA), deplored the CDC for alleged brutality during the clash.
Serrano said several Aetas were hurt when the security forces moved in to demolish the structure.
Serrano said the absence of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) between the CDC and the Aetas has left them without livelihood in their own land.
He also said the lack of IRR has blurred the implementation of the JMA which states that 80 percent of the profits generated from locators in the highlands will go to the CDC while the 20 percent will be given to the Aetas.
With some 4,400 hectares of this freeport fast filling up with investors, the JMA, which is effective for 75 years, was signed on Aug. 24, 2007. It was approved by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Dec. 6, 2007.
Under the agreement, 12 Aeta tribes, represented by the Bamban Tribal Aeta Association (BATA), would get 20 percent of the income that could be earned by the CDC from investors in their ancestral lands.
Then CDC president and CEO Levy P. Laus distributed 13 brand new Mitsubishi L300 vehicles to the Aetas as advanced payment for their share in the JMA.
The JMA was initially opposed by then congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin saying it was “onerous” and that the Aetas were at the losing end of the deal.
Meanwhile, Serrano told members of the media gathered at the weekly Balitaan that they are continually being harassed by CDC security personnel.
When asked why they put up the hollow block factory right on the riverbed, Serrano replied: “Karin dake pu linipat deng CDC (That’s where the CDC transferred us),” he said.
The CDC said that the structure was located right on the riverbed of the Sacobia River and thus was not only illegal, but also dangerous for the Aetas themselves.
“Ing CDC memangaku ya kekami keta JMA pero alang mengatupad pu (The CDC promised to us in the JMA but nothing was done sir),” Serrano said. The lack of livelihood programs for his tribe has prompted them to put up the hollow block factory, he added.
Serrano said six sitios comprise MATA: Kalapi, Aduan, Monikayu, Pidad, Marcos Village and part of Madapdap.
“Buri mi ma ya makansela ita JMA (We want to do away with the JMA),” Serrano said.
He said most of the 13 Mitsubishi L300 vehicles distributed as advanced payment to the Aetas worth P8.1 million are now dilapidated.
Serrano said only two vehicles were given to MATA for the Kalapi and Aduan tribes which are now rotting away.
“Sira na la ngan pu, adwa o atlu nala reng gagamitan da (They are all broken sir. Only two or three are still being used to today),” he said.
