Indigenous Territories Overlooked in Marcos Sona
In President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address (Sona), indigenous territories remained a silent issue. Despite ongoing conflicts threatening these lands, the president made no mention of their plight. This continuing silence on indigenous territories raises concern among advocates and communities alike.
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) recently highlighted that around 1.7 million hectares of indigenous lands face overlapping threats from large-scale mining, forest tenements, and other projects. “Indigenous territories” are increasingly at risk without protections.
Conflicts in Indigenous Territories Escalate
According to LRC’s research, 54% of approved mining tenements overlap with ancestral domains. Additionally, 49% of renewable energy zones and 54% of forest tenements also conflict with these territories. These figures show how indigenous lands are frontlines for environmental and social challenges.
The president’s announcement inviting global corporations into critical sectors such as minerals, agriculture, and renewable energy raised alarms. Advocates warn that these industries impact indigenous territories and watersheds without adequate safeguards.
Voices from the Indigenous Communities
Leticio Datuwata, supreme chieftain (timuay labi) of the Teduray and Lambangian peoples, shared the ongoing violence his community faces. “Unabated killings over violent contestations to our indigenous territories continue, yet not even a word of comfort was offered in the Sona,” he said.
He added that stories of large-scale mining, red-tagging, and disregard for free, prior, and informed consent are common across 11 tribes nationwide. Indigenous territories stand at the forefront of the ecological and climate crises, demanding urgent government attention.
Rising Human Rights Violations Linked to Land Disputes
A report by LRC last year revealed that over 237,000 indigenous people were affected by 73 documented human rights violations related to land conflicts in 2024. This represents a more than 400% increase compared to the previous two years.
The report emphasized that disputes over ancestral domains remain central to the existential challenges faced by indigenous cultural communities. It was based on consultations with 50 indigenous organizations and support groups in 25 provinces.
As the Marcos administration pushes for economic development, indigenous peoples call for genuine recognition and protection of their lands and rights. Their voices urge the government to align its climate commitments with meaningful action on the ground.
For more news and updates on indigenous territories, visit Filipinokami.com.
