South Cotabato tribal folk support mining project

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines  – Citing economic benefits that matter to them, tribal leaders in South Cotabato, talking to local media this week, have invoked their right to self-determination in deciding the Tampakan mine issue.

Danlag tribal chieftain Bai Dalena Samling of the Blaan tribe said they “know what they are doing” and emphasized their rights over their ancestral domain.

Blaan is the predominant indigenous group in South Cotabato.

“The proposed Tampakan mine project over our ancestral domain will ensure our tribe a better future, a better life than what we have today,” Samling said in response to calls from anti-mining groups to block the proposed mining project.

Samling said that without the employment and livelihood opportunities offered by the mining project, her tribe members will go back to cattle-rustling and slash-and-burn farming.

Barangay Danlag sits on the copper-gold deposit of the proposed Tampakan mining project.

South Cotabato provincial tribal council chieftain Datu Eduardo Sulan also expressed satisfaction with the environmental impact mitigation plan laid out for the proposed Tampakan mine.

“What is important is we know what the possible impact is and we can prepare for it,” Sulan said.

Sulan also said they will closely monitor the project to ensure that the mitigation management plans are complied with.

“This is our land, this is our project, and all the tribes in South Cotabato support it,” Sulan said.

“The project, while still in its exploration stage, has brought educational support and livelihood opportunities,” said another tribal leader, Datu Benjamin Dalimbang, who sits as vice chairman of the provincial tribal council.

Dalimbang said that if properly managed, the proposed Tampakan mining project would bring prosperity to the tribes.