Environmental Struggles and Justice Among Lumad Farmers of Davao City

ABSTRACT : The study described the various environmental struggles experienced among the participantsand their status in accessing justice. The study followed a qualitative multiple-case study approach; theparticipants are the Lumad farmers of Marilog, Davao City selected through a Critical sampling method andaims to present the environmental violations experienced by the Lumad farmers in Davao City and how itaffected their families and sustenance further, their status in accessing justice is also explored. The studyconcluded that the most common struggles the participant experience are Illegal logging and improper wastedisposal, which affect their farms, family, health, and income. Their preferred means to accessing justice isthrough barangay settlement; the rigors of accessing courts, such as distance, expenses, fear of ruling, and thehassle of being called to be present in court, are the most prevalent barriers that hinder the lead farmers fromaccessing justice or seeking legal action. Nevertheless, the participants believed that the government would helpthem in accessing justice.

KEYWORDS :access to justice, criminology,environmental justice, environmental struggles, lumadfarmers