Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

112 Pitfalls and Pipelines: Indigenous Peoples and Extractive Industries
most places there will already be livelihood projects in place
(for instance, based on agriculture, forestry or tourism), which
can be expanded. If not, focus on how the community can
cooperatively utilize indigenous resources. This can often
be done in conjunction with any partner organizations who
may specialize in development issues. Alternative economic
projects are important, but the companies will probably be
able to outspend any such activities, at least in the short term.
Therefore, such activities are likely to be more successful
where they are already supporting those with valid concerns
about extractive projects, or where they can demonstrate they
are more sustainable and culturally appropriate. In a 2007
cost-benefit analysis, comparing agro-forestry with mining
over different time spans in a project in Nueva Vizcaya in the
northern Philippines, economic modelling showed clear benefits
for the agro-forestry option after only a short period of
time, which continued into the future. 18
Finally, at the 2009 Manila Conference, some participants
raised the fact that many community successes were temporary,
and the ability to fully stop a destructive mine or hydrocarbon
project through campaigning is so far rare. While
the mineral has value and is in the ground there will always
be those looking to exploit it. Some victories just mean one
company goes away, and is replaced by a new one—or even
that the company just changes its name—and then the process
starts again. So, while recognizing the importance of indigenous
community’s mobilizing to decide their own future,
the community should prepare for a struggle that may last
for many years. It is important that organizations ensure that
new, younger, leaders are being trained for succession. It is
also important to consider in terms of resources, as any struggle
will need funds for materials and expert assistance. The
aim should be to build and maintain a resistance based on the
community’s own resources, ideally through local contributions
and fundraising events—which can also have a dual benefit
by being educational. Although external grant funding is
possible to access and can make it easier to carry out more
activities, it is best not to rely on it completely. The influx of
large amounts of money can damage a weak organization, in
the similar fashion to company money causing social division.