Bishop urges development that respects indigenous rights

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos called for development projects to include the voices of indigenous communities facing displacement. Speaking at the ninth Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan at the University of the Philippines Diliman on October 24, Alminaza argued that progress is not genuine if those whose homes and livelihoods are affected have little influence over decisions regarding their land.

Alminaza, who also serves as president of Caritas Philippines, cited the Ati community in Boracay and other indigenous groups as examples of people facing displacement due to the expansion of hotels and businesses. He noted that bishops from Western Visayas recently visited these communities to hear their concerns.

During his acceptance speech, Alminaza rejected the idea that environmental advocates oppose progress. He stated that communities dependent on natural resources must participate in and lead decisions that affect their future. He used the Visayan term "Hayuma," meaning to repair fishing nets, to describe the need for communities to work together to defend rights and repair damage caused by displacement.