MANILA, Philippines – They were supposed to celebrate the International Day of Indigenous Peoples today, August 9. But some of them who migrated to Metro Manila will have to observe the day in evacuation centers after torrential rain hit the metropolis and nearby areas.
According to Katribu Partylist, at least 700 indigenous families or more than 4,000 indigenous peoples across Metro Manila sought refuge in basketball courts and other evacuation centers. The indigenous group also reported that more than 900 indigenous families or more than 5,000 in Nueva Ecija were evacuated.
| Number of Families | Indigenous/Minority group | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 550 | Ati and Moro peoples | Brgys San Isidro and San Rafael, Montalban basketball court |
| 50 | Tinggian/Igorot | Brgy Kristong Hari, Quezon City basketball court |
| 50 | Tinggian/Igorot | Hemady, Quezon City (basketball court and Cathedral of St John and St Mary) |
| 35 | Ibanag | Brgy Lower Bicutan, (Basket ball court), Taguig |
| 500 | Igorot | Brgys Capintalan, Potlan and Digdig in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija |
| 300 | Ayta, Igorot, Dumagat | Brgys Doña Josefa, Bacao, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija |
| 55 | Ayta, Igorot | Brgy Villa Labrador, Rizal Nueva Ecija |
| 50 | Igorot | Sitio Panaulo, Brgy San Isidro; Sitio Mainit, Brgy Sagana in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija |
| Source: Katribu Partylist (As of August 9, 2012) | ||
The indigenous partylist group and the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (National Alliance of Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations in the Philippines) organized a disaster response and relief operation, Lingkod Katribu (In the service of indigenous peoples).
“Ang Lingkod Katribu ay nanawagan ng donation ng pagkain, inuming tubig, banig/kumot, kartong panlatag para sa mga kapatid nating mga katutubong mamamayang nasa evacuation centers at komunidad na nasalanta ng walang tigil at malakas na ulan,” Katribu Partylist posted on Facebook.
(Lingkod Katribu is calling for donations including food, drinking water, mats/blankets, cardboards for our indigenous brothers and sisters who were affected by the incessant, strong rain.)
For donations, contact Dumagat leader Kakay Tolentino at these numbers: (02) 412-5340 (telephone) or 09178364710 (mobile phone). The indigenous groups can also be reached through e-mail: kamp_phils@yahoo.com and katribupartylist@katribu.org
Climate vulnerability
Various indigenous groups cancelled their activities commemorating the United Nations-declared international day. Katribu and KAMP planned to hold a rally to protest large-scale mining operations in ancestral lands today but decided to launch its relief operation instead.
Tebtebba, the Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education, also postponed its event that was supposed to carry the theme: “Highlighting Best Practice on Land Rights and Self-determined Development in the Celebration of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Day 2012.”
According to organizers, the forum seeks to equip indigenous leaders with skills in dealing with emerging issues that impact on indigenous peoples like mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Indigenous peoples are one of the most vulnerable sectors during disasters like typhoons and floods.
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) reported in 2010 that “indigenous peoples are among the first to feel the impact of climate change even though their lifestyles are practically carbon neutral.” — Rappler.com
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.