CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and farmers will greatly benefit from the massive development being undertaken in the New Clark City within the Clark Special Economic Zone here.
This was the statement of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in response to concerns by various groups that IPs and farmers would be displaced with the fast-tracked development projects at the New Clark City.
“New Clark City is creating opportunity for everyone, especially for the IP groups and farmers who may be affected in the development of roads and other infrastructures,” the BCDA statement read.
The BCDA said it is building access roads to and from New Clark City that will provide access and connectivity to everyone, especially IPs, residents, and farmers for their livelihood.
“The roads will benefit all stakeholders. They will be the first and biggest beneficiaries of these developments,” the statement read.
It stressed that Aeta families are not displaced because there are no declared ancestral domains in the area.
The ancestral domain has been a contentious issue since the start of the implementation of various projects in the New Clark City.
A series of dialogues have been conducted between the BCDA, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the communities to thresh out the ancestral domain issue.
Last June 23, former House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda met with the concerned groups to discuss concerns.
During the said meeting, Pineda appealed to the BCDA to bring back the lands that were part of the ancestral domain of the IPs.
“Lupa itong binigay ng Diyos, huwag nating pag-awayan. Tingnan naman ninyo ang buhay nila at tingnan naman ninyo ang histura nila. Tingnan naman ninyo ang kalagayan nila. Maging malambot naman kayo. Hindi tayo pwedeng makipag-away sa kanila. Kailangan nila ang tulong ng gobyerno. Pare-pareho tayong nasa gobyerno. Tingnan ang mga maliliit (The lands are given by God, let us not argue on this. Look at their lives and their conditions. Please be soft to them. We cannot fight with them. They need assistance from the government. We are all in government. Let us look at the poor ones),” the former governor said.
Pineda also asked the BCDA to discuss where to relocate the IPs.
“Kung saan sila makakapag-hanap buhay para magbago ang buhay nila (the place on where they can work to change their lives)," she said.
One of the IP community leaders, Sapang Uwak Barangay Captain Solis Palo said they were not against the development being implemented by the government.
“Subalit, yun lang ang inaasahan naming na taniman. Kukunin pa,” Palo said.
But, the BCDA in a statement said that out of the 9,450 hectares in the said areas, only 3,500 hectares can be built on, leaving 6,000 hectares or 60 percent of green and open spaces for upland farming and forest reserves.
Likewise, the BCDA said that financial assistance packages of PHP300,000 per hectare (or PHP30.00/sq.m.), have also been made available to all project-affected people, including IPs/farmers.
“This is the highest compensation package provided by government to project-affected people,” the statement read.
Relocation sites have also been provided by BCDA with Clark City for those whose residential structures were affected.
To ensure sustainability and inclusivity of New Clark City, the BCDA said that they have worked with institutions such as the University of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank in studying the master plan.
“The University of the Philippines Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (UP-TCAGP) did the aerial mapping for this project to ensure that the masterplan is aligned with the natural contours and usage of the land, allowing maximum benefits for the government and all stakeholders,” it stated.
The BCDA said the development of the 1.4-kilometer River Park Corridor follows the natural flow of the Cutcut river as advised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“The ADB is also conducting a Biodiversity Assessment and Hydrology Study to conserve the flora and fauna and ensure the sustainability of water in New Clark City,” the statement read.
As the country’s first smart, green, and resilient city, New Clark City is envisioned to be a world-class government hub designed to ensure continuous business operations and services for the people in case of disaster or national calamities.
The Phase 1A of New Clark City involves the construction of world-class sports facilities to be used in this year’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games.
The facilities include the 20,000-seater Athletic Stadium, 2,000-seater Aquatic Center, and an Athletes’ Village. (PNA)
