Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines say:
“Help us Protect our Lands, Homes, and Rivers”
World leaders need to hear from young people. After all, their job is to make the world a better place for your generation. That will be your job, too, when you become leaders.
Cultural Survival invites you to learn about Indigenous Peoples all over the world and how they defend their rights and protect their lands. Sometimes Indigenous Peoples ask world citizens to help them convince governments and companies to respect their rights by writing letters. Here’s a request we just received:
Indigenous Peoples in the Didipio Valley of the Philippines are asking you to send letters to their country’s president. Since before you were born, they have been trying to stop construction of a gold and copper mine there. Already the mining company has destroyed many families’ farms and homes, but they haven’t started mining yet. We still have a chance to stop the mine before it pollutes the whole valley and does more damage to the people, animals, crops, and rivers.
Background Information
The Didipio Valley is a lovely, healthy place. Forests crown the mountain tops. Plentiful rainfall and natural springs in the highlands give birth to streams and rivers. The valley’s fertile soil is perfect for growing crops of rice, vegetables, and citrus fruits.
Bugkalot Indigenous people have lived in these forests for centuries, taking care not to destroy them. More recently, other Indigenous people came to Didipio to farm. Some of them were forced to come because the government built dams where they were living and made them move. They suffered many hardships, but they worked hard and now their farms are producing fine crops of rice, beans, squash, and sweet potatoes, and their orchards are producing oranges, limes and lemons. About 2,000 Ifugao, Kalanguya, and Ibaloi people live together now in the Didipio valley.
But a mining company wants to move them out. The company, OceanaGold Philippines Inc., found gold and copper in Didipio’s hills and valley, and got permission from the government to build a mine.
The company has already started bulldozing the people’s farms and destroying houses. It built fences across roads so the people can’t drive their crops to market. People who will not leave their homes say the company has tried to bribe and threaten them. A guard shot one farmer when he tried to save his neighbor’s house from the bulldozers.
The people know they have rights. Philippine laws say that mining companies must have the consent of Indigenous Peoples and the local elected councils before they can build mines. In Didipio, the Indigenous Peoples, the village council, and the municipal council have all said No! to the mine. But so far, the government isn’t listening.
That’s why the people of Didipio are asking us to write letters to the president of their country. Let’s help them get her attention!
Youth Action: Please write a polite letter to the president of the Philippines. Tell her why the people of Didipio don’t want a gold and copper mine there. Ask her what she will do to defend the rights of Didipio’s Indigenous Peoples and prevent environmental destruction in their Valley.
For a model letter click here.
Address:
Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Letter writing tips:
Start your letter with this salutation: Dear Madam President,
Make sure your letter is polite and respectful.
At the end of your letter, ask the president for a reply. Include your name, your age, and your address on your letter. You might get a letter back from the president! Postage from the US is 98 cents.
