Main source of living is becoming a problem to the Dumagats in Bulacan as illegal miners invade their ancestral domains in Norzagaray and Dona Remedios Trinidad.
Tribal Vice-Governor Filipina Nerit said that about 10 Tagalogs quarry in their land and not permitting them to make us of their own premises.
“Hindi kami makapasok sa kanila lalo na’t kami’y binabawal na rin,” said she. “Sila na ang matatapang ngayon.”
Tribal Vice-Governor Filipina Nerit said that about 10 Tagalogs quarry in their land and not permitting them to make us of their own premises.
“Hindi kami makapasok sa kanila lalo na’t kami’y binabawal na rin,” said she. “Sila na ang matatapang ngayon.”
The woman also stated that before, they were selling whatever they were quarrying to the Tagalogs to get income. However, the illegal miners have left nothing for them to sell.
“Wala na, ubos na nila, giniba na kasi ang kahoy, pati lupa ay giniba na rin,” she was telling.
There was also an incident, according to Nerit, that one of her nephews was assaulted due to the rift between them and the miners.
“Kuha ko na nga ‘yung mga pangalan,” she shared. “Nireklamo ko na sa NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous People), ginagawan ko nga ng petisyon ‘yun, eh. Dapat nga, makisalawahan nalang sila, eh sila pa ang nambubugbog.”
And while the tribe is trying to secure a major source of living, JC Roque, a 24 year-old native Dumagat, turns to selling bokawe, a specific type of a bamboo in order to raise his children with his partner, Nerissa Calilap. However, what they have been getting from these bamboos is still not enough.
“Minsan po kinukulang (ang panggatas ng bata),” said Calilap, who already have two children and was 16 when she first eloped with Roque.
“Minsan-minsan lang po nakakakuha ng bokawe,” stated Roque. “Marami na ‘yung 50 sa isang araw, limang piso po isang piraso.”
ON DUMAGAT POLITICIANS
According to Calilap, they are registered voters in Dona Remedios Trinidad.
“Sa DRT po kami bumoboto,” said she. “Mga tatlong oras pa po ang layo dito.”
She stated that most of them are happy that there are Dumagats who are elected in Barangays to help them when they are in need of assistance.
“’Pag po may nagkakasakit, sinasamahan po kami sa ospital,” Calilap said. “Sa gamot po, may kaunti rin pong tulong na pinansyal.”
And when asked if they are going to vote again for the next elections, Calilap answered, “Opo, boboto pa rin po.”
“Wala na, ubos na nila, giniba na kasi ang kahoy, pati lupa ay giniba na rin,” she was telling.
There was also an incident, according to Nerit, that one of her nephews was assaulted due to the rift between them and the miners.
“Kuha ko na nga ‘yung mga pangalan,” she shared. “Nireklamo ko na sa NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous People), ginagawan ko nga ng petisyon ‘yun, eh. Dapat nga, makisalawahan nalang sila, eh sila pa ang nambubugbog.”
And while the tribe is trying to secure a major source of living, JC Roque, a 24 year-old native Dumagat, turns to selling bokawe, a specific type of a bamboo in order to raise his children with his partner, Nerissa Calilap. However, what they have been getting from these bamboos is still not enough.
“Minsan po kinukulang (ang panggatas ng bata),” said Calilap, who already have two children and was 16 when she first eloped with Roque.
“Minsan-minsan lang po nakakakuha ng bokawe,” stated Roque. “Marami na ‘yung 50 sa isang araw, limang piso po isang piraso.”
ON DUMAGAT POLITICIANS
According to Calilap, they are registered voters in Dona Remedios Trinidad.
“Sa DRT po kami bumoboto,” said she. “Mga tatlong oras pa po ang layo dito.”
She stated that most of them are happy that there are Dumagats who are elected in Barangays to help them when they are in need of assistance.
“’Pag po may nagkakasakit, sinasamahan po kami sa ospital,” Calilap said. “Sa gamot po, may kaunti rin pong tulong na pinansyal.”
And when asked if they are going to vote again for the next elections, Calilap answered, “Opo, boboto pa rin po.”