Philippines tourism: Members of the Ati tribe fight for their land

Summary

The video sheds light on the plight of the indigenous Ati people of Boracay, the Philippines, who are struggling to retain their ancestral lands amid increasing tourism development. Despite being granted land titles in 2018 under former President Duterte's agrarian reform program, those titles were revoked after the government ruled the land unsuitable for agriculture. Now, the Ati face eviction, with some of their homes already demolished. They continue to fight for their rights, honoring the memory of a young Ati leader who was killed during this ongoing struggle.

Takeaways

• 🏝️ The Ati children of Boracay, the original settlers, are welcoming visitors, but their communities are largely unseen by tourists.
• 🏘️ The Ati tribe has been living on small land parcels away from the main tourism areas, but now their land is being threatened.
• 🚧 One of six lots they occupy has been fenced off, and homes were demolished by a developer in March.
• 😨 The Ati people are living in fear, worried that security guards will come again to evict them from their land.
• 🏢 A private company took their property after the government canceled their land titles in 2018.
• 📝 Former President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the Ati people certificates of land ownership (CLAs), but these titles were later revoked.
• 🌱 The government ruled the land unsuitable for agriculture, which led to the cancellation of the CLAs.
• 🍎 The Ati have been able to grow fruits on the land, and they are unwilling to relocate despite government pressure.
• 😡 The Ati people feel betrayed by the government and refuse to move to the designated relocation area, citing a lack of trust.
• 🕊️ The Ati are determined to continue fighting for their ancestral land, honoring the memory of Dexter Condes, a young Ati leader who was killed in 2013.

Q & A

Who are the original settlers of Boracay Island?

The original settlers of Boracay Island are the Ati people, an indigenous group.

What happened to the land the Ati people occupied on Boracay Island?

One of the six lots the Ati people occupied was fenced off after their homes were demolished by a developer in March, following the cancellation of their state-granted land titles.

Why are the Ati people afraid of eviction?

The Ati people fear eviction because they have been harassed by security guards of the private company that took over their land.

What was the government's reasoning for revoking the Ati people’s land titles?

The government revoked the Ati people’s land titles after ruling that the land was not suitable for agriculture based on tests conducted by soil experts.

Who awarded the Ati people with the certificates of land ownership, and under what program?

Former President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the Ati people with certificates of land ownership (CLAs) under the country's Agrarian Reform Program.

Why do the Ati people feel betrayed by the government?

The Ati people feel betrayed because the government gave them land only to take it back, leading them to distrust the government's promises and relocation plans.

What crops have the Ati people successfully grown on their land?

The Ati people have been able to grow fruits on the land they were granted.

What significant event in 2013 intensified the Ati people’s resolve to fight for their land?

In 2013, Dexter Condes, a young Ati leader, was shot to death, which intensified the community's resolve to continue fighting for their ancestral land.

What role does tourism play in the Ati people’s struggle for land rights?

Boracay’s tourism boom is exacerbating the Ati people’s struggle for land rights as developers are interested in acquiring land for tourism purposes, making it harder for the Ati to secure permanent settlements.

How do the Ati people intend to honor the memory of Dexter Condes?

The Ati people intend to honor Dexter Condes' memory by continuing their fight for their right to their ancestral land and not giving up despite the challenges.