The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has insisted on its legal ownership of the  7,000 hectares of titled properties on Bugsuk Island in Balabac town of Palawan amid protests from local residents, particularly the indigenous peoples who have been claiming ancestral rights on the land. 

In a statement, the SMC said it acquired the property through the purchase of companies that have held the titles since their original issuance in 1974 as part of a government program involving the redistribution of agricultural lands to farmers under the Land Reform Program.

Amid arguments that the titled properties are covered by the ancestral rights of the indigenous peoples, the SMC said there is no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) exists for Bugsuk Island.

It added that existing property titles predate the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).

“The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has upheld in its Orders dated August 15 and September 20, 2023, that the Bugsuk properties are not subject to Agrarian Reform distribution,” the statement read.

“Any reacquisition by the government would violate the just compensation already provided and infringe upon the Constitutional rights of the lawful owners,” it added.

Reinstatement of coverage

The Indigenous Peoples of Bugsuk Island are demanding the reinstatement of the 2014 Notice of Coverage (NOC), which recognized their rights to 10,821 hectares of ancestral land. 

In a statement, the Sambilog-Balik Bugsuk Movement said the decision to revoke the NOC has placed the lives, culture, and heritage of the indigenous peoples at grave risk. 

“Without the NOC to secure their ancestral lands, the Molbog, Palaw’an, and Cagayanen IPs face the looming threat of privatization, displacement, and harassment,” the group said in a statement posted in its Facebook page.

“These ancestral lands are more than just property—they are the foundation of their cultural heritage and survival. Without protection, generations of history and identity are at risk of being erased by corporate development,” it added.

Constructive dialogue

The SMC, for its part, said it acknowledges the historical complexities of land ownership in the Philippines and recognizes the importance of respecting the rights of legitimate indigenous communities.

“While no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) exists for Bugsuk Island, and existing property titles predate the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), SMC is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the true representatives of the Molbog people, to address any concerns,” it said.

In its statement, the Sambilog-Balik Bugsuk Movement also demanded for the removal of armed men who have been allegedly intruding on Mariahangin Island.

But the SMC reiterated that it does not own any properties on nearby Mariahangin Island, nor is it involved in any development projects there.

“The company remains committed to upholding the rule of law, respecting the rights of all stakeholders, and contributing to the sustainable development of Bugsuk Island,” the SMC said.