Farmers, IPs question FPIC access in Candoni

By Juliane Judilla

CANDONI, Negros Occidental — Farmers and Indigenous Peoples in Candoni, Negros Occidental, have raised concerns after they were allegedly barred from joining a Free, Prior and Informed Consent assembly related to the establishment of a palm oil plantation project by Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc. in the barangays of Gatuslao, Payawan and Agboy.

The FPIC assembly, conducted in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, was held March 10–11, 2026, at the Barangay West gymnasium as part of the consultation process tied to the company’s Environmental Compliance Certificate application.

However, farmers and Indigenous residents from Barangay Gatuslao said many of them were prevented from entering the venue even though they were among those directly affected by the plantation project.

According to the local farmers’ group Save Tablas, security personnel at the venue reportedly restricted entry to individuals whose names appeared on a prepared list.

Some farmers alleged that those included on the list were mostly individuals supportive of the plantation project, while several farmers and Indigenous community members who opposed the development, or said they would be directly affected by it, were not allowed to attend the assembly.

Community members said their presence was critical because the project could directly affect their farms, livelihoods and ancestral lands.

“Sadness was evident on the faces of the Indigenous Peoples as they pleaded to be allowed inside because their presence was crucial. It was important for them to attend, as their farms and livelihoods are at stake,” Save Tablas said in a statement.

The group also expressed alarm over the reported presence of armed individuals guarding the entrance gates of the assembly venue.

Save Tablas said the presence of armed guards created an atmosphere of intimidation and heightened concern among those trying to attend the meeting.

Farmers’ organizations September 21 Movement and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-South Negros also raised concern over what they described as an unfair and exclusionary consultation process.

The groups said excluding affected farmers and Indigenous Peoples undermines the purpose of the FPIC process.

They said the consultation is meant to ensure communities can freely and fully participate in decisions involving projects that may affect their lands and livelihoods.

Human Rights Advocates Negros also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the affected communities.

In a statement, the group said it stands with farmers and Indigenous Peoples in opposing the palm oil plantation project while condemning what it described as land grabbing and the displacement of rural and Indigenous communities.

The group said development projects must respect the rights of local communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands are protected under national law.

Farmers and Indigenous residents affected by the proposed plantation are calling on authorities to cancel the Integrated Forest Management Agreement linked to the project and deny the Environmental Compliance Certificate for Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc.

They are also urging the government to ensure a transparent, inclusive and legitimate FPIC process that allows the meaningful participation of all affected farmers and Indigenous stakeholders.

They argue that the project could result in the loss of agricultural land and the displacement of communities that depend on farming for their livelihood.

Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, or Republic Act No. 8371, FPIC is required for projects affecting ancestral domains, and the NCIP’s 2012 revised guidelines say the process must ensure genuine participation by the concerned Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples.

Philippine rules also define an Environmental Compliance Certificate as a document issued through the environmental impact assessment process certifying that a project will not cause significant negative environmental impact, or that mitigation measures and monitoring will be put in place. (Photos from Save Tablas and September 21 Movement South Negros)