At last, the much awaited peaceful dialogue among the Bugkalot Ancestral Domain Environmental Management Council (BADEMC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) initiated by NIA Administrator Benny D. Antiporda will now signal a fresh start for the Bugkalots to secure their rights for their concerns as an impacted community.
To heed the call of the President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on the onslaught of Typhoon Karding in the NDRRMC meeting, NIA and PSALM immediately acted upon in the decades-long lingering concerns of the Bugkalot Tribe that was affected by the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) in the Province of Nueva Ecija that resulted in the stand-off between the military, PNP, and Bugkalot Tribe members in Barangay Pelaway, Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya.
“Dahil kami ay mabubuting Pilipino rin humahanap kami ng paraan kung saan tayo magsasalubong nang hindi maaapektuhan ang national interest. Kasi alam natin ‘yan, it is part of the economic growth ng Pilipinas. Pero in the part of Bugkalot, bilang nagtiis nang matagal, nandito kami ngayon — puso sa puso”, uttered by BADEMC Chairman Daniel P. Pasigian.
Administrator Antiporda emphasized that NIA is listening to the sentiments of the Bugkalot Tribe and the Agency will provide solutions on their demands. With a promise that they all meet halfway, the government, through NIA and PSALM, will continue to provide assistance and utmost support for the welfare of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples.
“Nagkaroon po ng pag-uusap sa San Rafael, Bulacan na sinasabi niyo po ang hinihiling niyo po ay 3% wherein gusto namin ibigay. ‘Yon nga lang po ay napakalaki at hindi po kaya. Ngayon, pag usapan po natin kung saan tayo magkakasalubong para maging maganda naman ang tulong namin sa inyong lahat at maganda rin po ang tulong ninyo sa taong-bayan”, said Administrator Antiporda.
A fruitful discussion led to an agreement of a contract among PSALM, Bugkalot Tribe, and NIA. This includes 1.5% net income share from CMIPP as part of the Agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), inclusion of road maintenance, and provision of forest guards, among others.
With this monumental achievement, the NIA Top Management ensures that the Agency maximizes its capacity to aid not only our farmers as our main beneficiary, but also indigenous peoples and other relevant interest parties.
PSALM President Dennis Edward A. dela Serna, President NCIP OIC Executive Director Atty. Caesar M. Ortega, Bugkalot Ancestral Domain Environmental Management Council Chairman Daniel P. Pasigian, Jetron Mike C. Marcos representative of Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, NIA UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, Financial Management Department Manager Milca B. Cayanga, and officials from the Central Office and field offices were present during the coordination meeting held on October 18, 2022 at the Convention Hall, 5th Floor, NIA Central Office, Quezon City.
NIA Administrator Benny D. Antiporda with Bugkalot Ancestral Domain Environmental Management Council (BADEMC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
NIA Administrator Benny D. Antiporda during the dialogue among the Bugkalot Ancestral Domain Environmental Management Council (BADEMC), PSALM), and NCIP
NIA, BADEMC, PSALM, and NCIP coordination meeting on October 18, 2022 at Convention Hall, 5th Floor, NIA Central Office, Quezon City
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For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:
CLARIZZE C. TORIBIO
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
Email: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741
