ADB and the Dumagat used participatory storytelling to co-produce the last of four video journals to enable the participation of indigenous peoples to the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) Review and Update process.
Told from the point of view of a young Dumagat, this video journal depicts the role of young people in negotiating for livelihood support during the process to get the Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) Free, Prior and Informed Consent for the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project Tunnel 4 (AWTIP).
ADB used video journals as innovative development communication and consultation methodology to generate lessons, including issues, in implementing the SPS for AWTIP.
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 1: From Agreements to Implementation
Dumagat Stories 2: Beyond Informed Consent, Making the Process Work
Transcript
Randy Villarama,
IP Youth Representative
Come on, let’s ride!
Narrator
Randy Villarama is an indigenous Dumagat who represented the youth sector in negotiations with the Philippine government.
Angat dam, which supplies Metro Manila’s drinking water, is the Dumagat’s Kabayunan ancestral domain.
ADB supported the rehabilitation of Angat’s old tunnels and transmission systems to ensure the continuous supply of safe water.
To respect the Dumagat’s rights, ADB worked with the Philippine government to get their Free, Prior and Informed Consent for the project.
After many years of consultations, Randy and other Dumagat leaders signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine government.
The Dumagat successfully negotiated for livelihood support, ambulances, solar panels, kolong-kolong or tricycles, and others.
ADB engaged with Randy for his story.
Randy Villarama,
IP Youth Representative
As a youth representative in the consultations, I suggested for kolong-kolong.
It is hard when there is no public transportation. The school is far away.
Our youth struggle to finish school to improve the lives of the next generation.
We also use the kolong-kolong to bring our produce to sell in the lowlands.
Narrator
During the consultations, the Dumagat planned for their own socio-economic development and prioritized their needs.
The spirit of Free, Prior and Informed Consent did not end with the MOA signing. Implementing the agreements presented a new set of challenges for the Dumagat and their organization.
Randy Villarama:
Sometimes, we face problems with the kolong-kolong.
We run out of gas. There is no one who could drive. Or the tricycle breaks down.
We are trying to find solutions for these.
Youth participation in consultations is important. They are the ones who will experience the project benefits.
They are the next tribal chieftains. They will be the Dumagat representatives.
