Leadership and members of the Ambala Aeta Tribe, alongside non-indigenous (“Unat”) residents of Barangay Naugsol, have come forward to clarify the reality surrounding a former temporary dumpsite in Sitio Tibag, following a recently aired television documentary they say presented a misleading and incomplete narrative.
According to local indigenous leaders, critical context was omitted from the media coverage, giving the public a skewed perception of environmental hazard and community displacement.
Temporary Solution Born of Pandemic Emergency
Tribal leaders addressed claims regarding the origin and impact of the temporary waste site:
- Private Land & Official Consent: Ambala Aeta Tribal Chieftain Francis Santos explained that the former site spans approximately five hectares of land possessed by the Tenoria family within an uncertified 1,000-hectare ancestral domain claim. In March 2020, at the height of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions—which prevented garbage trucks from traveling to the regional disposal facility in Floridablanca, Pampanga—the Subic Local Government Unit (LGU) consulted both the Tenoria family and the Ambala Aeta Tribal Council. The council unanimously consented to the temporary use of the property for municipal waste.
- No Displacement or Permanent Structures: The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) inspected the area before operations and verified that no permanent homes or communities existed on the site. Tribal leaders clarified that makeshift structures shown in the documentary were temporary open shelters (kubols) used briefly by waste recyclers for shade, not residential homes. No indigenous families were displaced.
- Water Supply and Health Concerns Refuted: Addressing fears of contamination, Chieftain Santos noted that the tribal community is located approximately 2 kilometers from the former site, thereby shielding residents from odors and pests. Leaders further confirmed that the stream depicted in the documentary is a seasonal rainwater runoff channel, not the community’s drinking source. Safe drinking water is sourced from protected natural springs developed in coordination with the LGU.
LGU Response, Rehabilitation, and Transfer Protocol
While acknowledging that the Subic LGU could have maintained broader public consultation and clearer post-closure communication, local officials and tribal representatives noted that immediate action has been taken following the site’s official closure by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The former dumpsite is completely non-operational, with the LGU actively conducting clearing, hauling, and site rehabilitation. Solid waste management in Subic now utilizes a modern transfer station in Barangay Naugsol, where waste is segregated before being transported to an accredited sanitary landfill at the Floridablanca Enviro Park Project in Pampanga.
Additionally, community members highlighted positive infrastructure developments linked to local governance, including a newly constructed farm-to-market road that has significantly improved access to local markets for indigenous agricultural products.
Allegations of Political Exploitation and Unconsented Media
Indigenous leaders and long-time non-indigenous residents expressed frustration over what they described as political opportunism and unethical media practices surrounding the issue.
Tribal leaders reported that before the documentary’s release, individuals associated with a local political critic and a self-described Indigenous Peoples advocate repeatedly visited the closed site without tribal authorization. One incident allegedly involved an aggressive confrontation between an individual and local watchmen (Bantay Bayan) enforcing the DENR closure order.
“Any individual or group filming or conducting interviews within our territory is expected to seek permission from the Tribal Council out of respect for our rights and culture,” tribal representatives stated, expressing surprise at how footage was gathered secretly and aired without full disclosure of the program’s intent.
Residents also voiced concern about online content creators and vloggers monetizing the community’s circumstances for social media traction without verifying facts or consulting longtime residents living in the area.
A Call for Balanced and Respectful Reporting
The Ambala Aeta Tribe and residents reiterated that while they respect the role of legitimate media and content creators, public reporting on indigenous communities must be balanced, verified, and free from political agendas.
“Our lives, culture, and challenges should not be leveraged as political ammunition or sensationalized for social media views,” community representatives emphasized. “True support for indigenous and local communities is shown through accurate information, respectful dialogue, and honoring our right to speak for ourselves.”