Indigenous Aeta Tribe Faces Displacement as New Clark City Rises

In the Philippines, the Aeta Hungey tribe of Sapang Kawayan is confronting significant challenges as the government advances plans for the multibillion-dollar New Clark City, a project envisioned to attract tourists and investors. Located on a former United States military base, the city is part of an ambitious initiative led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to alleviate congestion in Manila, which is home to nearly 15 million residents.

The New Clark City, constructed on the site of the former Clark Air Base, is central to these efforts. Alongside the city, the government has proposed extensive projects such as a new airport terminal, additional train lines, and a $515 million stadium aimed at hosting global events, including potential performances by international pop star Taylor Swift.

However, the development threatens the Indigenous Aeta community, which has inhabited the area for generations. With approximately 500 families residing in Sapang Kawayan, the construction plans jeopardize their homes and livelihoods. “We were here before the Americans, even before the Spanish,” stated Petronila Capiz, the chieftain of the Aeta Hungey tribe. “And the land continues to be taken from us.”

Historically, the Aetas were dispossessed of their lands by American colonizers in the early 20th century. Since the US military base was handed over to the Philippine government in 1991, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has overseen the area. Despite an estimated 20,000 Aetas living across 32 villages in the Clark region, their land claims remain largely unrecognized, leaving them vulnerable to displacement as development projects progress.

Government Development Plans and Community Response

The Philippine government first unveiled the New Clark City project under former President Rodrigo Duterte, promoting it as a solution to the persistent traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Construction commenced in 2018, with the city designed to accommodate 1.2 million people and expected to take at least 30 years to complete. The BCDA describes the new city as a “green, smart and disaster-resilient metropolis,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth.

As construction continues, the Aeta community in Sapang Kawayan is collaborating with researchers from the University of the Philippines to expedite their application for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). This legal designation is crucial for asserting their rights to their territory and natural resources. Recently, community members gathered to document their genealogy and share stories, aiming to illustrate their historical presence in the area.

Their ancestral claim of 17,000 hectares overlaps significantly with the 9,450 hectares designated for New Clark City, as well as the proposed airport complex. Capiz expressed grave concerns about the potential loss of their agricultural fields, fishing rivers, and medicinal mountains: “Together, the new city and airport complex will eat up the fields where we farm, the rivers where we fish and the mountains where we get our herbs.”

Challenges of Legal Recognition and Displacement Risks

Despite their long-standing connection to the land, the Aeta communities face substantial hurdles in securing CADTs. Only a few Aeta tribes have successfully obtained these certifications, with many applications, including that of Sapang Kawayan, stalled since 1986. The process demands extensive documentation, including genealogical records and testimonies from elders, which some community members find overwhelming.

Marcial Lengao, head of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Tarlac, indicated that proving continuous occupation since pre-colonial times is essential for a successful CADT application. He highlighted that even if the application is approved, the BCDA’s ownership rights over Clark complicate matters. “They will be responsible for finding a win-win solution,” he stated.

The BCDA maintains that no displacement has occurred, citing that the Aetas lack legal claims to the area. They have offered financial compensation of $0.51 per square metre and are constructing 840 housing units for affected families, although it remains unclear whether these units are intended for the displaced Aetas.

Critics of the BCDA’s position argue that the bureaucratic obstacles the Aetas face undermine their ability to claim their rights. Pia Montalban from the local rights group Karapatan-Central Luzon expressed concern that without a CADT, the Aetas would continue to be treated as squatters on their ancestral land.

The Aetas, who typically engage in subsistence farming, are among the most disenfranchised Indigenous groups in the Philippines. Although precise population figures are unavailable, estimates suggest their numbers may reach tens of thousands nationwide. The Aeta Tribe Foundation characterizes them as one of the poorest and least educated groups in the country, facing systemic challenges that exacerbate their marginalization.

A recent report from the World Bank emphasized the need to recognize and protect Indigenous land rights as essential for alleviating poverty and mitigating conflict. Experts warn that the lack of formal recognition for Aeta land claims could lead to increased displacement and homelessness. “Without a CADT and without genuine recognition from the government, the Aetas will continue to be treated like squatters on their own land,” Silvestre added.

Victor Valantin, an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative for Tarlac Province, voiced concerns about the shrinking territory for the Aetas. “Shopping centres won’t move for us,” he lamented, criticizing the rapid pace of BCDA projects compared to the slow progress of securing rights for Indigenous communities.

As the development of New Clark City continues, the future of the Aeta tribe hangs in the balance, highlighting the urgent need for a fair resolution that respects their historical ties to the land.