House lawmakers filed a resolution on October 21 calling for a legislative inquiry into the alleged failure of Philsaga Mining Corporation to provide royalties owed to indigenous peoples (IPs) in Mindanao’s Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
In a report by Philippine Star, the mining company is accused of withholding payments from the Manobo Tribe for its operations in the Consuela and San Andres areas.
According to House Resolution 2050, the issue was brought to light by tribe members Mary Jane Rodrigo-Hallasgo and Amatorio Rodrigo, who claimed Philsaga denied the community’s rights to their ancestral land.
The resolution emphasized that the company’s mining activities are depleting resources in violation of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IPs) entitlement to royalties under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
The law mandates that mining companies must secure IPs’ consent and negotiate royalty payments for mineral extraction. These royalties, at least 1% of the gross output, should support the socioeconomic well-being of the community.
The resolution also raises concerns that Philsaga may be colluding with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to mishandle the payments.
The inquiry seeks to address these alleged violations and strengthen the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 and the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
The resolution was filed by ACT-CIS Partylist representatives Erwin Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, Edvic Yap, alongside Eric Yap (Benguet, Lone District) and Ralph Tulfo (Quezon City, 2nd District).
