Summary
Highlights
A look at the serene life of the Aita people in Sityo Tibag, Zambales, which changed drastically after the local government constructed a road that secretly led to a massive, illegal dump site inside their ancestral domain.
The investigation reveals the horrific state of the area, characterized by foul odors, swarms of flies, and mounds of trash covering what used to be a deep gorge, destroying the land and livelihoods of the indigenous residents.
The LGU admits they did not consult the indigenous community and claims the site was an immediate solution for waste during the pandemic, despite evidence of dangerous hospital waste and lack of environmental safeguards.
The Aita people share how their primary natural water source became contaminated by leachate from the dump, forcing them to move deeper into the forest and rely on rainwater for survival.
The Aita people stand firm in their demand to have the trash completely removed. The documentary highlights the systemic neglect of their rights as the first inhabitants of the Philippines and calls for urgent action to restore their desecrated home.
Following pressure from the Aita, the DENR finally ordered the closure of the dump in 2026. However, the LGU now claims they cannot afford the 78 million PHP total rehabilitation cost, proposing to bury the existing trash instead of removing it.