Aeta community members began fencing parts of Mt. Bagang in San Marcelino on Sunday, claiming the area is part of their ancestral domain despite a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) finding that a private company’s forest plantation application does not overlap with any approved Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT).
The fencing was led by Aeta leader Trolie Romualdo, who said the community’s CADT is identified as CADT No. 280, contrary to information earlier provided by Zambales Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Marife Castillo.
Castillo said the DENR’s verification, based on available references and data from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), showed that the Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (Sifma) application of Philippine Ocean Business Corporation (POBC) did not encroach on any approved CADT.
She made the clarification in an Aug. 13 response to the Inquirer’s request for information.
POBC’s application for clearance to establish a tree plantation covers 51.88 hectares (ha) in Mt. Bagang along Barangay Sta. Fe.
Romualdo has maintained that the Aeta community considers Mt. Bagang part of its ancestral territory and has sought recognition of its claim.
The fencing came after two tree-growing activities were conducted in Mt. Bagang by the San Marcelino municipal government and private-sector partners, during which nearly 1,000 African talisay seedlings were planted.
Aeta leaders said they support reforestation efforts but questioned why the activities proceeded without prior consultation with the community, which they consider the owners of the ancestral domain.
Pending NCIP process
Castillo said POBC’s Sifma application had been endorsed to the NCIP Central Luzon office for evaluation and the issuance of the appropriate clearance or certification, as may be required under existing laws and regulations.
The endorsement was made through a DENR letter dated April 15, 2025, she said.
The DENR said the NCIP process was being undertaken pursuant to Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
‘All applications for forestry tenure instruments are endorsed to the NCIP for evaluation and the issuance of the appropriate clearance or certification, as may be required,’ Castillo said.
Pending the issuance by the NCIP of a Certification Precondition stipulating that the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of the Aeta had been secured, or the release of a Certification of Non-Overlap or a Resolution of Non-Consent, the DENR said a Provisional Agreement may be issued to the applicant, subject to applicable rules and regulations.
The provisional agreement allows temporary improvements within the area covered by the application while the necessary requirements and evaluations are being completed.
San Marcelino Indigenous Peoples Mandatory representative Robert Dela Cruz earlier said POBC had undertaken an FPIC process for about six months in connection with its proposed project, but the process had not yet been completed.
The ancestral domain area identified by Indigenous leaders covers around 33,608 ha across the villages of Aglao, Buhawen, San Rafael and Sta. Fe. The Aeta communities in the area include the Ayta Ambala, Ayta Mag-Indi, and Ayta Zambal.