fPcN interCultural:

defenders of free tribal life

Kimangkil-Kalanawan Mountains, we estimated 70 to 80 thousand hectares of Higaonon rainforest tribal lands situated within the boundaries of Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon-Agusan provinces in north-central Mindanao region. Major river-system such as; Pulangi, Agusan, Gingoog, Odiongan, Cabulig and Tagoloan emanates from its rainforest. Endangered wildlife including Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), Philippine brown deer (Cervus mariannus), rattan (Calamus spp), almaciga (Agathis spp), Mindanao cinnamon & divergent tropical flora (dipterocarps and related ) & fauna (Buceros hydrocorax, flying fox, “Cynophalus volans”, civet cats and unidocumented thumb-size monkey “ngayi” found refuge in tribal designated protected zones.
Presently, at least 10 thousand traditional Higaonon and their ancestors since time immemorial find refuge, home and survival in these rainforest. The huge and pristine Kimangkil-Kalanawan Mountains and rainforest shielded northern Mindanao provinces farmlands, industries and urban centers from typhoon driven disasters yearly recurring in eastern Mindanao provinces nurturing its sustain development.

The past ten years (2004-1994) saw the realization of Higaonon tribal movement to free their lands from logging concessions. Combination of armed rebellion (alliance with CPP-NPA), sabotage of logging infrastructure and civil society anti-logging campaigns were initiated in the mid 80’s stopping logging operations. Waves of Christian settlers from the lowland attempted to settle the logged-over areas and tribal forestlands but were thwarted by the Higaonon tribal elders establishing alliance with civil society. The advent of government’s recognition of their ancestral lands and domain in the past ten years reinforced their entitlement, control of their territories and aspire for comprehensive development. GREEN Mindanao work in the area since 1994 facilitated the following:
(1) assessment of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems and practices;
(2) community-mapping of tribal lands and rainforest;
(3) assisting community forestry development and poverty reduction;
(4) secured ancestral domain certificates of recognitions;
(5) collaboration with other civil society organizations and concern government agencies in consolidating tribal lands claims and securing tribal land titles.

Recently, Northern Mindanao Initiatives for Community Resource Management (NMICERMP) Project funded by IFAD/UNOPS included barangay (villages) Minalwang and Hagpa as priority in their program as follows: (1) secure tribal lands title CADT (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles); (2) assist tribal plans ADSDPP (Ancestral Domain Plan Sustainable Development and Protection Plan); (3) related poverty reduction investment and infrastructure development. However, about half of the region (6 to 8 small villages namely; Mangilit, Languyod, Civoleg, Man-ibay. Mati-1, Impahanong) were not covered. GM facilitated small GEF project (EU-UNDP-PTF) until the yearend related to the IFAD purpose. While IFAD sites were assured of substantial assistance by the project including financial support to both assisting government agencies and NGO’s, those not included will have to seek from others.

The situation did not discourage the tribal leaders of Kimangkil-Kalanawan communities to re-affirm their commitment to consolidate tribal lands and ancestral domain under the administration of their tribal federation. Hereunder the seven agenda agreed upon forging their solidarity and commitments:

1. “Lig-onon su Kadadatu-e” (Strengthen Datuism) “Alimaong” (Tribal Guard)

2. “Lig-onon su Kaguna ha Lagimo” (Cultural Strengthening) “Pabaton-batona, Pauyam-uyamuha, Pabat-awa” (Sharing) “Bongkatol ha Bulawan daw nangkatasa ha lana ha ipo-an ku pinaglaw” (Golden Role), “Palangga ha Bigula ha karaan ha kalig-onon” (Pacts and Agreement)

3. “Lig-unsa su kabilin ha Bugta” CADC/CADT (Secure Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims) “Sabuwahon da su pagpatitulo ka Mt. Kimangkil” (Group Titling Application for CADT in Mt. Kimangkil)

4. “Magtokod hu Kahiusahan ha organization/federation” (Federate tribal organizations around Mt. Kimangkil-Kalanawan ranges)

5. “Inuhon su hadi pakigduma-duma ha Datu” (What to do for those Datu who did not participate?) “Hinangon ha Ulagdok daw Salukan sa Bubongan ta Kimangkil daw Kalanawan” (Making Mt. Kimangkil as a Center of Cultural and Practices) “Ipreserbar “(preserved) “Hadi pasudlan hu bisan sin-o ha huda pagtugot hu tribo” (No Entry Without Free and Prior Informed Consent Among Higa-onon Stakeholders).

7. “Pognao para hu sumusunod ha kabataan” (Educate children)

GM’s recent of work (2004-2005) are the excluded IFAD sites complementing IFAD goals on limited scale. Tribal lands survey, cultural verification, planning, validation and related processes were constraints by shortfall in funding especially to the functions of government agency task on the matter. Community organizing, cultural strengthening & education, federation building, tribal lands protected area zoning, instituting tribal leaders/tribal guards authority, forest protection and poverty reduction assistance need huge support including within the IFAD sites.

Imminent threats identified by tribal council included the plan to DENR to forced protected area plan under the NIPAS law within their tribal lands. Another concern is the resurgence of armed conflict between the communist New People’s Army and Phiippine Armed Forces in the vicinity. Though iIlegal logging and wildlife poaching is significantly controlled by their vigilance, there is a need to reinforce their effort. Role of women in community development and peace making is exemplified. Cultural preservation is foremost among their priority in securing their survival and recognition as Higaonon people.

Plan Project Components:
1. Tribal strengthening: Strengthen “datu” or tribal leaders and tribal guards “alimaong”; cultural strengthening, sharing, golden role, pacts and agreements; consolidation of tribal land claims; development of common tribal laws, policies and agreements (territories-boundaries-conflict resolution) e. g. disciplining erring “datus” and “alimaong”

2. Cultural revival on Higaonon cultural dimensions or “holosayon “; educating the youth or “pugnao kabataan”

3.Organizational development: Formation of tribal council, officers and members; registration for legal basis of tribal councils, women’s role in peace-making, tribal crafts and community development); tribal federation building (networking-linkaging-alliance building

4. Ancestral domain protection: Delineation of “tulungdanon” or sacred grounds off limits to outsiders; protection of critically endangered species such as Philippine eagle and Philippine brown deer and their sanctuaries; rehabilitation of threatened native species like rattan vines, lauaan “dipterocarps and other native wildlife.
Note: For more info contact Butch at "Green Mindano"

Region

• Melanesia

Topic

• Conservation