ADB used participatory storytelling to enable the participation of indigenous peoples to the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) Review and Update process.
In 2022, ADB conducted consultations with project affected people (PAPs) particularly with the Dumagat affected by the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project Tunnel 4 (AWTIP). Video journals were used as innovative development communication and consultation methodology to generate lessons, including issues, from how the SPS was implemented.
This is the second of the four video journals. It provides an in-depth retelling of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process as a critical safeguard requirement for AWTIP. The Dumagat storyteller narrates the process of consultations and obtaining consent from elders and members of the Kabayunan ancestral domain.
The entire process of storymaking and storytelling to produce the video journals was participatory. The Dumagat chose their own storytellers and stories, and signed consent forms detailing the video journaling process and conditions of video production and public dissemination.
Once the video journals were edited, ADB conducted a screening consultation with the Dumagat to validate the accuracy of the stories and messages, and generate insights on the video journaling process prior to videos’ finalization and public showing. The government agencies involved in the FPIC process—the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)—supported the video journaling process.
Watch the other video journals:
Dumagat Tell Their Stories: Lessons on Safeguarding IP Rights
Dumagat Stories 2: Beyond Informed Consent, Making the Process Work
Dumagat Stories 3: Youth Inherit the Journey to Empowerment
Transcript
Rogelio Villarama singing song in Dumagat
Tayo’y katutubo sa dakong silangan nitong Sierra Madre sa kanyang paanan.
Narrator
Angat dam is the sole source of Metro Manila’s drinking water.
ADB supported the rehabilitation of Angat’s old tunnels and transmission systems.
ADB recognized that for the indigenous Dumagat, Angat is more than a critical infrastructure.
It is their Kabayunan ancestral domain.
With ADB and the government, the Dumagat engaged in a
in a long process to get their Free, Prior and Informed Consent for the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.
Together, we identified their storytellers.
This is one of their stories.
Salvador Cruz, Tribal Governor
Brgy. San Lorenzo
This is our traditional clothing, inherited from our ancestors.
We do not want this to disappear. This shows our identity as indigenous Dumagat.
Whenever projects are built, there has to be clear consent from indigenous peoples.
It is different now from before when government just did whatever they wanted.
Narrator
Dumagat leaders signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine government.
The MOA detailed the conditions for their Free, Prior and Informed Consent for the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.
Salvador Cruz:
There were almost a hundred Dumagat during the consultations to get our consent.
We had around six meetings before our elders consented.
They agreed to what we asked for.
At first, the requests were for individual benefit. A sack of rice, canned goods. We had all kinds of personal requests.
Narrator
During the consultations, the Dumagat went through internal reckoning among themselves.
From personal, individual benefits, they eventually negotiated for equipment and livelihood support that will benefit the community.
The MOA detailed their conditions for fingerlings, kolong-kolong or tricycles, ambulances, solar panels, and others.
But implementing the MOA is a longer, challenging process.
ADB and the Philippine government continue to work with the Dumagat to address the challenges in project implementation.
Salvador Cruz:
So there will be changes in the lives of indigenous peoples
And we will not depend on rations, or on political candidates so we will have livelihood of our own.
We consider the next generation, and make sure the whole Sierra Madre is protected.
We were born here, lived here for a long time.
Our ancestors lived here and died here.
