19/07/2026
๐๐ข๐๐จ๐ ๐ก | ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ง๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐
๐๐บ: ๐๐ป๐ข๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐. ๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ข, ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ
We have preached about saving the earth. To preserve the richness of our natural resources, to take care of the heritage. Yet, we donโt exactly practice what we preachโthe continuous exploitation and neglect of the environment speaks a lot louder than our words. For generations, the Aeta community has nurtured and lived with nature. Having a peaceful and simple livelihood in the mountains. Though many are aware of the groupโs purpose, the local government has been destroying their home. Violating the rules and the lack of proper accountability from the dangers and problems that they have caused.
It began during 2019. In the middle of a forest at Sitio Tibag, Naugsol, Subic, Zambales, when a sudden dumpsite had been established by the local governmentโthey needed an immediate solution, so they found one. Without thorough investigation and inquiry, they made it their dumpsite, unaware of the lives it will greatly affect. The Aetas were the first settlers of the land they used as a solution, but somehow and someway they failed to do basic research of whose cultural heritage land it belonged to, was it incompetence or simply arrogance towards the indigenous people? The leader of the tribe immediately raised their concerns to talk about the matter. Mayor John Khonghun discussed with the community that the open space would be a temporary dumping ground. Due to the arrangement made, the people would receive โฑ10,000 per month. However, the Aetas did not like this idea one bit. But knowing the higher ups, the project would keep going regardless of their disagreements, they knew that their opinions would not matter. The government took advantage of the indigenous people. Using their power to gain more control of the situation. They said it would just be for a whileโnot until 7 years had passed and their dehumanizing act of littering has not been resolved.
Over the years, the dumpsite has affected the daily lives of the people. Meanwhile, wastes and other trash had already been mixed with the natural land and water. Creating a risk of dangerous consequences accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Those who lived near the area had to abandon their homes, plant their crops far from the rotten stench that could be smelled in the air. Their source of water was no longer trusted nor used, due to the contamination. The situation had become difficult for the residents as they had to adjust every routine they had just to live by.
โHindi namin alam na may community doon sa areaโฆโ An excuse one of the officials made. What made me wonder was how could one impossibly miss the idea that the Aeta community was there, when some houses were nearby and the area was recognized as an ancestral domain. Their reasons for choosing this area was not because they didnโt know, it was because they didnโt care at all. It is frustrating to hear their unreasonable answers when it was obvious that they selfishly chose to turn a blind eye and settle their dump of trash away from the urban area. Without any remorse, and no shame. It is so unfair. Because of their negligence, the community is going to have to face the consequences.
They are killing the earth, alongside Aeta's sanctuary. It is very heartbreaking to see a mountain that was once a beautiful green scenery, with trees and grasses that has now turned into a surface covered in garbage. It took 7 years to stop the operatios, The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had to force the Local Government Unit (LGU) to stop the project as it is strictly prohibited to operate an open dumpsite. Their actions of improper waste disposal have caused risks to other nearby forests. If they werenโt caught, they probably wouldnโt even stop throwing junk in that area. It is cruel how the local government was still able to get away from their crimes. As a result of their actions, they will have to spend millions in order to take the trash somewhere else. And the solution that they could think of? Cover it up with soil. What a baffling idea to resolve a situation where a community has suffered from the effects of the dumped wastes. And all they could think of is just trying to bury their faults? The government owes them not just an apologyโbut also a solution to the problem they have caused, where they must fairly take responsibility after having the ancestral land of the Aetaโs become endangered, serving justice to the environment that was once a paradise.
It is sickening how heartless humans can be when it comes to prioritizing their greediness rather than morality. The Aetaโs deserve mutual respect with their homeland left untouched. It is a sacred place for their community. Whether authorized or unauthorized, us non-indigenous do not have the right to meddle and ruin their livelihoods. If they have been following our demands, then we must do the same and show generosity. Just because we have our differences, doesnโt mean they should be disregarded and treated unfairly. The indigenous tribes are still human beings who also have the right to speak up for the betterment of their community. The local government is responsible for protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of everyoneโ including our indigenous community.
๐พ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐ค๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฝ๐ฎ:
๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฌ ๐๐ป๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฆ๐ญ ๐. ๐๐ข๐ด๐ช๐ฑ๐ช๐ต, ๐๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ-๐๐ฏ-๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ฆ๐ง
๐๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ:
๐๐ญ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข ๐๐ชรฑ๐ข ๐. ๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐ฐ, ๐๐ด๐ด๐ฐ๐ค๐ช๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ
