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Part of the airport website was previously home to members of the Kirintëkën-Ilantungën Mënuvu and other homeowners.

Jessica Soho personally went to the location to speak with the locals.

Around 113 households are now living at a moving website in Barangay Maray-Maray. Some households were transferred starting in 2022, while others, consisting of the household of purok leader George, were moved more just recently.

George stated his household had actually resided in Barangay Maraymaray, where they farmed corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, and fruit trees.

“Communal namin ‘yang tinaniman ng mais, kamoteng-kahoy, tapos kamote,” he stated. “Blessing sa amin ‘yon. Mga prutas, mangga, lanzones, rambutan. Ang dami naming tinanim.”

[“We planted corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes together in that communal area,” he stated. “It was a blessing to us. Fruits like mangoes, lanzones, and rambutans—we planted so much.”]

According to George, homeowners had actually formerly been displaced from the location in the 1990s and later on returned. He stated they ultimately discovered that an airport was being prepared in the location.

“2016 narinig ko noon na parang sabi-sabi lang na tatayuan kami ng airport kaya ‘di ako naniwala. Nag-away pa kami ng asawa ko. Sabi ko, ‘Huwag kayo maniwala diyan kasi kuro-kuro lang ma-displace tayo.'”

[“Back in 2016, I heard what seemed like just rumors that an airport would be built here, so I didn’t believe it. My wife and I even argued about it. I told her, ‘Don’t believe that—it’s just speculation that we’ll be displaced.’]

He said the situation became clear when construction equipment arrived.

The affected residents said they were paid for the lots acquired for the project. The government offered P320,000 per hectare, as well as housing, electricity, water, and a one-time cash subsidy of P25,000 per affected family.

Residents raise concerns over water, electricity

Some relocated families said their new homes did not initially have water and electricity.

Mila, a 71-year-old resident, said she received P320,000 for one hectare of land, although she said taxes and other expenses reduced the amount she actually received. She also received the P25,000 cash subsidy.

“Yung 25k, ginastos ko para malipat ang aming bahay doon sa ibang location. Pero, ‘yun lang, maliit pa rin talaga ‘yang 25k, Ma’am.”

[“I invested the 25k to move our home to another location. Still, that 25k actually is simply too little, Ma’am.”]

She said the money was already spent on moving their house and that the promised utilities were not provided as they expected.

“Ang sabi sa airport, ang aming bahay ay bundle. May tubig, might kuryente. Libre lahat. Hanggang ngayon, wala.”

[“They stated that at the airport moving website, our home would belong to a plan. There would be water and electrical power, all free of charge. Previously, there’s absolutely nothing.”]

She said her family eventually took out a loan and bought a solar power system, while water had to be collected from a distant source. Other residents also said they have had difficulty getting water, particularly during dry periods.

The local government, however, said electricity had already been provided to the houses, with residents needing to complete the individual connections.

Engr. Eduardo Corotan Jr., acting municipal planning and development coordinator, said the government had also provided cash assistance.

“Relating to po sa kuryente, nakabigay naman po ‘yung federal government sa kanila. Lahat ng mga bahay do’n, meron kuryente ‘yun. Ang kulang lang is yung iko-connect ‘yung linya from your home to the line sa electrical natin. Binigyan po sila ng money support,” he said.

[“Relating to the electrical power, the federal government had the ability to provide it to them. All the homes there have electrical energy. What’s missing out on is simply linking the wire from your home to our electrical line. They were offered money help.”]

On the water concern, Corotan said a reservoir was already available and that a program was being prepared.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) Region 10 also visited the relocation site after the residents’ concerns were raised.

Engr. Clemente Dayot of NHA Region 10 said the agency’s role was mainly construction and production.

Dayot said the facilities had already been turned over to the local government for maintenance and operation.

Residents lose livelihood

Aside from housing concerns, residents said their relocation also separated them from their farms and other sources of income.

George, who has been a farmer for most of his life, said he and other residents now have fewer opportunities to grow their own food. He said some residents have had to take construction jobs to earn money.

Another resident, Loloy, said he had not been given a house or the one-time cash subsidy. He is temporarily staying with a fellow tribesperson.

Catherine Cagampan, an administrative officer involved in the project, said the local government handled the purchase of the land and that the P320,000-per-hectare amount was based on the appraisal value at the time.

Cagampan also said some residents had claimed that their properties were part of an ancestral domain, but the LGU had asked for documents supporting the claim.

“Meron nagsasabi, Ma’am, na part sila ng ancestral domain. Pero, humihingi kami ng mga documents na talagang kasali sila. Pero, hindi sila nakapagbigay sa amin.”

[“Some are stating, Ma’am, that they become part of the ancestral domain. We asked for files showing they’re really consisted of, and they weren’t able to supply us any.”]

The NCIP provincial office, however, said the airport project is within an ancestral domain.

“Ayon sa report ng ating group na pumunta doon, ‘yung task ng airport nasa loob ng ancestral domain,” Ronnie Bayaon, NCIP provincial officer, said.

[“According to the report from our group that went there, the airport job is inside the ancestral domain.”]

Questions raised over FPIC

The issue of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, or FPIC, has also been raised. Benjie said their group had informed government agencies that the area was part of their territory and should undergo the FPIC process.

He also said they had not seen the Certificate of Precondition, or CP, at the time of the interview.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) acknowledged an issue with the earlier FPIC application.

DoTr Director Eduardo Mangalili said the provincial government initially applied for FPIC in 2015, but the process did not materialize.

Mangalili said DoTr later applied again after learning that the agency itself needed to make the application.

“Yung mga sent files is no longer to be discovered. Nangyari po, nag-apply po kami ng panibago.”

[“The sent files might no longer be discovered. What took place was, we had to use all over once again.”]

Bayaon said FPIC is required when a project is located within an identified ancestral domain.

“‘Pag determined ang ancestral domain, dapat magkakaroon muna tayo ng FPIC procedure para ang NCIP makapagbigay ng tinatawag nating accreditation prerequisite,” he said, explaining that Indigenous communities should be informed about the project and its possible effects before deciding whether to give their consent.

[“When the ancestral domain is recognized, we need to initially go through the FPIC procedure so that the NCIP can release what we call an accreditation prerequisite.”

Children face long trips to school

Residents also raised concerns about access to education. Some said children have to walk for up to three hours to reach school. Others said some students have stopped attending because of the distance and transportation costs.

Irene Dumpasan, whose children are among those affected, said the daily journey has become difficult for them. She said her children sometimes attend school only two or three days a week because of transportation and financial problems.

To help address the lack of a nearby daycare facility, daycare teacher Abby turned her mother’s relocation house into a temporary classroom.

She said the original daycare center was left behind when residents were relocated.

Abby said she hopes a proper daycare center can eventually be built in the relocation site.

“Ang hinihiling ko lang, sana mapatayuan nila ako ng day care. Nag-worry ako kasi, malapit na akong mag-retire. Gusto ko mapatayo na ‘yung day care center, para might sustainable sila, para patuloy ang pagtuturo ko sa mga bachelor’s degree hangga’t hindi pa ako nagre-retire.”

[“My only demand is that they construct me a day care. I’m concerned since I’m retiring quickly. I desire that day care center developed so they have something sustainable, and so I can continue teaching the kids for as long as I have not retired.”]

Supporters see economic benefits

Despite the concerns raised by some residents, other Bukidnon residents expressed support for the airport project.

They said it could make travel easier, bring in more tourists, and create opportunities for businesses and workers.

Bukidnon resident Elma said traveling outside the province can be difficult and expensive.

“Taga-Bukidnon ako, pabor talaga ako basta might enhancement,” she said.

[“I’m from Bukidnon, and I’m actually in favor as long as there is enhancement.”]

Vendor Von Santillan also said the airport could create opportunities for local businesses.

“Maraming turista na darating happy din kami na might airport kami, tapos marami pa makatrabaho, chances na makatrabaho – makapunta sa labas, importante rin sa ating mga negosyo kasi maraming bibili.”

[“Numerous travelers will get here and we’ll likewise be happy to have our own airport. There will be plenty of task chances– individuals can go outside the province, and it’s likewise crucial for our companies due to the fact that numerous individuals will purchase from us.”]

The Bukidnon Airport is anticipated to supply a much faster path to and from the province when functional.

For the households transferred due to the fact that of the task, nevertheless, issues stay over income, energies, education, real estate, and the application of dedications made throughout the moving procedure. — JCB, GMA News