SUBIC, Zambales — The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Office III has called for the immediate and inclusive rehabilitation of a dumpsite located within the ancestral domain of the Ayta Ambala Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in Sitio Tibag, Barangay Naugsol, Subic, Zambales, following the completion of an official investigation into the site’s operation and its impact on the indigenous community.
The recommendation is contained in Memorandum No. R3-2026-07-289A, dated July 20, 2026, signed by NCIP Regional Director Atty. Joyce S. Lapuz and submitted to the NCIP Secretary/Chairperson.
According to Lapuz, the investigation was conducted to establish the facts surrounding the operation of the dumpsite, determine whether the rights and welfare of the Ayta Ambala ICCs/IPs under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371) had been affected, and recommend appropriate actions consistent with the Commission’s mandate.
“Our objective is to ensure that the rights, welfare, and ancestral domain of the Ayta Ambala are fully protected while providing factual findings and appropriate recommendations based on the validation conducted by the Commission,” Lapuz said in the memorandum.
The NCIP confirmed through field validation that the dumpsite is located within Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) No. R03-SUB-0116-199, covering 1,308.81 hectares in Barangay Naugsol, Subic. The ancestral domain is home to 87 Ayta Ambala families, or approximately 435 individuals.
The report noted that while the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Subic maintained that the indigenous community had consented to the establishment and operation of the dumpsite, the Commission found no official records showing that the NCIP had been formally consulted or had monitored the process through which the alleged consent was obtained.
During consultations conducted by the NCIP on July 17, 2026, members of the Tribal Council said their agreement to allow the dumpsite was intended only as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the understanding that the facility would be removed and the area rehabilitated once the public health emergency had ended.
The investigation also found conflicting accounts regarding allegations that the community received ₱10,000 in exchange for allowing the dumpsite. Because of inconsistent statements from community members, the NCIP said there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the payment was specifically given as compensation for the community’s consent.
Meanwhile, the Commission found no evidence that Ayta Ambala families had been forcibly displaced because of the dumpsite. Likewise, it said it could not conclusively establish claims that nearby rivers or other water sources had been contaminated, as no technical environmental assessment or water quality testing had been conducted.
On reports of foul odor emanating from the dumpsite, the NCIP noted that while personnel from its San Marcelino Service Center observed an unpleasant smell during a visit in June 2026, no offensive odor or unusual insect infestation was detected during the validation conducted on July 17. The Commission said the differing observations may have been influenced by weather conditions and whether the dumpsite was actively being used at the time of inspection.
Based on its findings, Lapuz recommended that rehabilitation of the dumpsite be carried out through an inclusive process involving both the Ayta Ambala community and the NCIP to ensure transparency and protect the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples throughout the planning, implementation, and monitoring of rehabilitation activities.
She also emphasized that any project, program, or activity undertaken by local government units within ancestral domains, or those that may affect the rights and welfare of ICCs/IPs, should be properly coordinated with the NCIP and supported by all necessary permits, certifications, clearances, and other legal requirements.
The memorandum further underscored the importance of complying with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003) and all applicable environmental laws and regulations in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned government agencies.
While recognizing the extraordinary challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lapuz stressed that emergency circumstances should not justify compromising the rights, interests, safety, and welfare of Indigenous Peoples.
“The protection of the rights, interests, and welfare of the Ayta Ambala ICCs/IPs must remain the primary consideration in the rehabilitation process,” Lapuz emphasized.
The NCIP concluded its report by urging the Subic LGU to immediately rehabilitate the dumpsite in accordance with environmental standards and its commitments to the Ayta Ambala community, while ensuring that future actions affecting ancestral domains fully comply with the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and other applicable laws.