FPIC a must on projects in ancestral domain-NCIP

DAVAO DEL NORTE, October 23 (PIA) - - Any development to be undertaken in the ancestral domain, may it be initiated by the government or private sector, must secure free and prior informed consent (FPIC).

Eric Marteja, community affairs officer of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) – Compostela Valley, emphasized on Thursday (October 22) during the Pakigasayod sa Kinaiyahan segment of the Serbisyo para sa Masa program of the Sonshine Radio that the consensus of all indigenous cultural communities (ICC) / indigenous people (IP) in an area through an FPIC must be secured first by the developers before the project will be implemented.

Marteja said that the FPIC is stated in the IP’s Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 and NCIP Administrative Order 3, series of 2012.

He stressed that only the ICCs and IPs have the right to determine and decide on the developments that will happen on the ancestral domain.

“These activities and projects that are covered for FPIC are those that are extractive, intrusive and large scale; non-extractive and small scale activities; and other processes that may affect the lives, beliefs, institutions, spiritual well being and the lands of the IPs,” he said.

Marteja also underscored that the priority development of the IPs are stipulated in the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP).

“We also have areas that are excluded from any activities, which are included also in the ADSDPP. These are sacred grounds and burial sites, identified international and local cultural heritage sites, critical areas or reserved areas for special purposes of the IPs and others identified by the IPs in the ADSDPP.”

Marteja declared that the NCIP can stop and suspend the implementation of any development programs and projects if after due investigation and proof the implementation violates any law, rules and regulations of the IPs. (PIA11, Michael Uy)