MANILA, Philippines—Militant congressmen are demanding an investigation into the alleged displacement of the Ati tribe from their homeland on the popular resort island of Boracay.

House Resolution 829, filed by a group of party-list representatives on Oct. 8, directs the House committee on national cultural communities to investigate the alleged dispossession of the Ati of their lands due to the commercialization of the island.

The Supreme Court recently declared Boracay government land, affirming a presidential proclamation that classifies more than half of the island as disposable. The proclamation has been contested by resort owners who say they would end up bidding for the very properties that they already own.

In the resolution, the lawmakers noted that the Ati tribe has long inhabited Boracay, predating the businessmen who saw the island’s potential as a top tourist destination.

Ancestral domain

The lawmakers said the nomadic Ati, who number about 2,000, regard Boracay as their ancestral domain, referring to it as “Takbuyan.”

The island’s natural beauty, white sand beaches and clear waters have attracted local and foreign visitors to its shores, fueling the boom in construction of business establishments on the island, which in turn has affected Ati lands.

“The Ati’s ancestral domain is actually being encroached upon by various commercial interests and the ongoing resort, entertainment and telecommunications construction boom on the island,” the lawmakers said.

They said the Ati were averse to parting with their land.

“To the Ati, selling their ancestral lands is tantamount to taking away their life,” they said.

They also pointed out that under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act, ancestral domain constitutes the indigenous people’s private and community property, and cannot be sold, disposed of or destroyed.

The resolution was filed by Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.