The indigenous Aeta expressed concern about the plan to reopen Mt. Pinatubo to tourism. The Department of Tourism (DOT) suspended all tourism-related activities on Mt. Pinatubo on May 2 in recognition of the Aeta communities’ grievances in the area.

Indigenous Aeta leader Chito Balintay said they swiftly sent a letter of opposition to the plan to Central Luzon DOT regional director Richard Daenos when they learned that Mt. Pinatubo would reopen. They called on the DOT to urge the Botolan local government to recognize their grievances, conduct sincere consultations, and help reach an appropriate resolution.

“We want to make it clear: We do not recognize any tour-related activities being conducted at Mt. Pinatubo without our genuine consent and participation. While we do not wish for conflict, we cannot allow the continued exploitation of our land and marginalization of our people to go unchallenged,” the letter stated.

They first demand resolving the issues involving the Botolan local government before resuming tourism activities on the mountain.

The indigenous Aeta’s Certificate of Ancestral Domains Title covers the barangays of Burgos, Villar, Morasa, and Belbej in the town of Botolan, and parts of the barangays of Cabangan, San Felipe, and San Marcelino, all in Zambales. About 2,000 Aeta live on ancestral land that is part of Botolan.

Balintay said coordination on tourism activities began in 2015 between the communities and the Pinatubo Task Force. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and indigenous leaders supported this.

The communities initially organized the tours, but in 2016 the Botolan local government took control of the operations, in collusion with the NCIP and the military.

Tourism in the area prospered but the Aeta communities received no benefits or income.

“This is not only unjust but also a direct violation of our rights under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act,” Balintay said.

Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas had earlier expressed support for the struggle of the Aeta communities. According to the group, “it is their right to fight injustice, protect their ancestral land against plunder, and correct how their culture and land are treated.” While the Aeta are used as ornaments in tourism, they are systematically deprived of the right to decide on tourism business and on the sharing of income.