This article is about my thoughts and views towards the effects of development and development interventions among the IPs. My intention in writing this is just to express my thoughts and ideas.
The Philippine indigenous people during the colonial period and contemporary era experienced the same problems about development and development interventions. During the colonial period, native Filipinos are suffered in force labor, where they experienced abuses like, didn’t get the exact salary, excessive working time, and physical abuses, while in the present days where indigenous people were forced to work in companies that are developing their lands to support their families as their livelihood was affected by the said development.
Another problem that exists in both periods is displacement. Indigenous people are displaced because their ancestral domain is a subject for development as we all know that their land is rich in natural resources and a good spot for the tourism industry. During colonization, colonizers grab their land to develop and build structures, which is some native Filipinos leave and move to the mountain because of fear and to avoid contact with the colonizers. In addition to some factors why indigenous people are displaced in present days is because of arm conflict, discrimination, and loss of livelihood and habitat.
Lastly, indigenous people continue suffering poverty from past until present days. The indigenous people pay more than the required amount and pay different taxes during Spanish colonization, while during American colonization, the native Filipinos pay tax for public works, where is, this development is not meant for the Philippines economic growth. And now in present days, where most developments affected indigenous people livelihood and habitat, which brought them to excessive poverty.
These problems that indigenous people continue experiencing through time is because people are lack of information and understanding about the indigenous people’s condition. Even there is already laws and rights that protect IPs, still there is a violation in it. The government should strengthen its laws and rights of indigenous people and they will give the right benefits for them just like what the dominant people received. Indigenous people should know their rights so that they can stand their own, just like what is said in the article by Aguirre on page 67 that indigenous people should have unity to fight their rights. Just like the Banao who successfully fight their rights from mining and logging companies who have intentions to use their land and resources.
Development is good, especially it helps to facilitate the basic needs of humans and help overcome poverty. And indigenous people is not an exception to this development. It’s just that indigenous people affected it more on negative effect because of mishandled by the government and non-government sectors. Their should be cooperation, collaborations and understanding towards each other to achieve the development and growth they aimed.
