MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) yesterday confirmed its legal ownership of 7,000 hectares of titled properties on Bugsuk Island in Balabac, Palawan which it acquired through the purchase of companies that have held the titles since their original issuance in 1974 as part of a government program involving the redistribution of agricultural lands to farmers under the Land Reform Program.
Responding to claims made by a group called Sambilog-Balik Bugsuk Movement, SMC said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has upheld in its Orders dated Aug, 15 and Sept. 20, 2023, that the Bugsuk properties are not subject to Agrarian Reform distribution. Any reacquisition by the government would violate the just compensation already provided and infringe upon the Constitutional rights of the lawful owners.
Still, SMC acknowledges the historical complexities of land ownership in the Philippines and recognizes the importance of respecting the rights of legitimate indigenous communities.
While no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) exists for Bugsuk Island, and existing property titles predate the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), SMC is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the true representatives of the Molbog people, to address any concerns.
Meanwhile, SMC also reiterated that it does not own any properties on nearby Mariahangin Island, nor is it involved in any development projects there.
The company remains committed to upholding the rule of law, respecting the rights of all stakeholders, and contributing to the sustainable development of Bugsuk Island.