A tribe in Palawan is wondering if the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) is an inutile agency or simply scared to go after big environmental organizations violating the rights of some of the country’s indigenous people.

According to the complaint of the Palawan tribe in the southern part of Palawan province, the Bantay Kalikasan, an environmental group formed by the Lopez family, took control of their ancestral land in Barangay Aribungos, in Brookes’ Point, without their permission.

Through their tribal leaders, the group claim that the said environmental group cut at least forty trees to clear the area for an eco-tourism park. This also displaced several tribal families living in the area.

The Provincial Environmental Officer admitted there were violations indeed by the said group in cutting those trees. Even Bantay Kalikasan’s Executive Director Gina Lopez admitted they had to cut the trees but there were old ones that were about to die.

The mayor of the town also defended the project of Bantay Kalikasan claiming it would create jobs for the tribe in the area. However, the Palawans do not buy the idea and filed a formal complaint before the NCIP.

In an earlier interview with TV5, NCIP Director Basilio Wandag admitted the Lopez environmental group clearly violated the the Indigenous People’s Rights Act.

Wandag promised to finish their investigation on the first week of January 2013 and the result will most likely be the filing of a case against the Bantay Kalikasan.

Surprisingly, only last Monday, Wandag was already singing a different tune claiming that they had to investigate further and for that they are sending a team to Palawan.

The Palawans are upset with the result of the investigation of the NCIP.

If this agency can’t help protect and save our tribes in this country against abusive individuals or organizations, then who will?

If NCIP is not inutile, could it be that its officials are blinded by money? Just asking…

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