Mt. Hilong- Hilong Key Biodiversity Area Against All Odds

The Case of the Binantazan nga Banwa / Binantajan nu Bubungan ICCA of the Mamanwa-Manobo

The Mamanwa and The Mamanwa of the Manobo are two region are the oldest existing distinct ethnic groups group of people in the and are believed to be direct that reside and descendants of the Mambuti tribe traditionally manage in Africa. A Mamanwa is a portion of Mt. described as having a dark skin Hilong-Hilong KBA tone, a small frame, kinky-haired, particularly in the snub-nosed and with black eyes. municipalities of The term Mamanwa means “first The Mamanwa-Manobo ancestral forest dwellers,” derived from domain spans the land area Santiago, , between the mountain ridges “man” (first) and “banwa” (forest). and shore of Lake (above and , all in They were already roaming the right), providing a view of Mt. , forests of Jabonga, Kitcharao, and Hilong-Hilong KBA. (Top, left to right) Mamanwa-Manobo kids in Caraga region in Santiago when the Manobo arrived Canaway, Kitcharao; elder in the area. Mamanwa man and woman from . Maraiging, Jabonga; Manobo man and woman from Pangaylan- IP, Santiago. PAFID-Mindanao The Manobo is the largest ethnic family in the Location Philippines. The name “Manobo” is traceable to the Malay word “Mansuba,” a combination of “man” (people) and “suba” The Ancestral Domain (river) as an ascription to where the Manobo usually dwell, (AD) of the Mamanwa- which is by or on the river thru floating houses. According Manobo Tribe is located in to the Mamanwa and Manobo elders, Manobo hunters from the Caraga Region in Cantilan, reached Santiago, Agusan del Norte Mindanao and covers while hunting and decided to stay in the area due to the portions of three abundance of food resources. municipalities in the province of Agusan del The Mamanwa are nomadic in nature, relying on hunting Norte, namely Jabonga, and gathering to survive and grow minimal crops such as Kitcharao and Santiago. yams to supplement their foraging activities. The Manobo’s (See Map 1 at right.) The subsistence pattern is, on the other hand, semi-nomadic Certificate of Ancestral relying mainly on shifting agriculture with hunting and Domain Title or CADT No. gathering as supplementary activities. Some communities 134 has been approved for retained these traditional livelihood activities, but now that 27,057.45 hectares of land they are settled in more compact and permanent settlements to the Mamanwa-Manobo both in town centers and in the uplands, the Mamanwa and Tribe in 2010 but it is yet Manobo have also adapted mainstream economic practices to be awarded. such as entrepreneurship and the provision of physical labor and other services for various tasks from farms to offices, As shown in Map 1 households as helpers, and even in mining areas. (right), CADT 134 is mostly forested with primary The co-existence of both tribes in the area and their forests covering 9,600.20 frequent interaction have resulted to intermarriages between hectares while secondary the two tribes which not only integrated their bloodlines but forests cover 13,441.30 also their socio-political system, religious practices, and hectares. Grasslands cultural beliefs. Both the Mamanwa and Manobo believe in (733.60 has), agricultural a supreme being they call Magbabaya, who is also the creator areas (3,192.90 has), and of all. They also believe in spirits and unseen beings residential areas (48.20 inhabiting and guarding the elements of their environment has) also make up the and to whom recognition and respect must be accorded to whole AD and contribute lest they would be punished or plagued by unfortunate to the diversity of life in events. They understand each other’s dialect. Even with this the territory. link though, some communities in the ancestral domain have retained their distinct Mamanwa and Manobo traditions and Moreover, Map 2 beliefs. Those who live near the forest margins have also (following page) shows that attested to the existence of Mamanwa clans that continued approximately 17,495.38 their nomadic existence in the forests of Agusan del Norte hectares (64.8%) of the AD with very minimal contact with outsiders. is an Important Bird Area (IBA) while 21,200.10 At present, most Mamanwa-Manobo in the ancestral hectares (78.5 %) of the domain inhabit the areas of Mayoos, Apa-apa, Puyo River, Ancestral Domain is Mailag, Pingutan, in the Municipality of Jabonga; and included in the Mt. Hilong- Pangaylan, Kadahon-dahonan, Casagayan, Maraat, Bolo, Hilong Range KBA, which Nagtal-o, Panlabao, Palo Dose, Kapak-wan, Tumarong, is also one of the priority Dagusan, Sagbongan in the Municipality of Santiago; and conservation areas in the Brgys. Canaway, Zapanta Valley and Mahayahay in country and forms part of Kitcharao. According to a 2010 census conducted for the the Eastern Mindanao CADT application, the Ancestral Domain has a total Biodiversity Corridor population of 6,595 individuals distributed in approximately (EMBC) as well as the Lake 800 households. Mainit Watershed.

The Mamanwa-Manobo’s reverence of the Panlabao and its Binantazan nga Banwa / surrounding forests are rooted in Binantajan nu Bubungan: their belief that it is the birthplace of ICCA of the Mamanwa- their ancestors. It is the home of their Manobo Tribe spirits that provide the “baylan” their spiritual and medicinal wisdom and healing abilities. Although many have learned the mainstream society’s ways of earning cash for a variety of their needs and wants, the Mamanwa-Manobo still go back to the Binantajan nga Banwa / Binantajan nu Bubungan for their primary and basic needs for survival such as water, food, medicine, shelter, and protection. Protection of these forests will mean protection of their cultural identity as Mamanwa- Manobo people and securing the resources for the coming generations.

For the Mamanwa-Manobo, all resources within the Ancestral The Mamanwa and Manobo tribes of Domain are gifts from “Magbabaya.” CADT 134 named their conservation area as As much as they are entitled to Binantazan nga Banwa and Binantajan nu benefit from the gifts they are also Bubungan, respectively. “Binantazan” and enjoined to protect and conserve it “Binantajan” mean “protected” while “Banwa” for their future generations. Use of and “Bubungan” mean “forested mountain.” the resources is governed by their traditional beliefs and the practical It is located at the eastern border of the knowledge of taking just enough at Ancestral Domain and has a total area of the right place, at the right time using 1,546.50 hectares (Map 3, succeeding page). Of the right method and with due which, 1,397.14 hectares is primary dipterocarp respect to the spirit overseers of the forests while the remaining 149.38 hectares is resources. secondary dipterocarp forests (Map 3). This whole area is included in the Mt. Hilong-Hilong However, these times of Range KBA and IBA. insecurity due to outside interventions and influences have The central feature of the Mamanwa- threatened this basic principle. Manobo ICCA is Mt. Panlabao, the highest peak Therefore, they have strengthened within the ancestral domain and also the most their Customary Laws and sacred of all areas in the territory. They describe Traditional Practices with policies to it as inereg or inajagan in the Mamanwa and further ensure a sustainable and Manobo dialects, respectively. Both words more conservative use and mean that their reverence for the area is so deep utilization of the natural resources and the area is very important that fear of its within the ancestral domain. These destruction drives both the Mamanwa-Manobo policies are contained in the and the spirits dwellers to keep it to themselves Community Conservation Plan and away from others who might harm it. It is (CCP) formulated in December 2013. for this reason that a ritual is necessary It applies not only to the Mamanwa- whenever anyone goes near or intends to enter Manobo of CADT No. 134 but to the sacred premises. outsiders as well.

RUFOUS Hornbill (kalaw) and pitcher plant during the February 2013 ICCA forest resource inventory.

Economic Significance

Enclosing a huge block of dipterocarp forests in Eastern Mindanao, the Mamanwa- Manobo ICCA serves as a carbon pool holding an estimated 323,174.77 tons of carbon. This is based on the 2013 carbon stock quantification conducted by the Mamanwa-Manobo community with assistance from PAFID- NewCAPP.

Biodiversity On a local scale, the Mamanwa-Manobo’s significance CADT 134 encompasses two major river systems in Agusan del Norte which is important as According to the KBA Profile tributaries for the Watershed and compiled by DENR-BMB Caraga, Mt. as a potential source of renewable hydropower Hilong-Hilong Range KBA is home electricity. These are the Puyo River System and to at least 120 species of birds, and Asiga River System. The Binantazan nga Banwa/ 59 of these (50%) are confined to the Binantajan nu Bubungan cradles the head source Philippines. For frogs and reptiles, of Asiga River and contributes to the Puyo River at least 41 species were recorded and thru the Maraat, Kibongbong, and Bagosangay 26 of these (63%) are Philippine creeks. This fact makes the ICCA an important endemics. For mammals, at least 45 part of the Lake Mainit Watershed that supplies species were documented and 20 of lowland communities particularly in Jabonga, these (44%) are Philippine endemics. Santiago, Kitcharao, , and even At least 31 globally threatened , with water for domestic uses and vertebrates were noted and previous agricultural irrigation. This could be a potential records list 17 globally threatened source of support for conservation initiatives in plants. the form of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES). Mt. Hilong-Hilong shelters one Near Threatened and eight Another potential PES source is from the Vulnerable amphibians; 14 industrial use of the domain’s water resources. Vulnerable, one Near Threatened, Two hydro-electric power plants are being one Endangered, and two Critically constructed in the ancestral domain. These are Endangered bird species; and four the 30-MW Puyo Hydroelectric Power Project by Vulnerable mammalian species. In First Gen Mindanao Hydro Power Corporation terms of floral species, seven are and the 5-MW Asiga Hydroelectric Power Project Vulnerable, four are Endangered by Asiga Green Energy Corporation. Upon full and five Critically Endangered. This operation in 2017, it is expected to contribute globally threatened wildlife includes reliable and cheap source of electricity that will the Philippine Eagle, the country’s supplement the electric power requirement of national bird, and Magkono or the the whole province of Agusan del Norte thru the Philippine iron wood. Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative or ANECO. Conservation International (CI) Phils. recorded 23 restricted range The forests within the ICCA could better species of vertebrates for this KBA. contribute to the reduction of risk from The Philippine Eagle Foundation landslides and floods if aptly protected, mining (PEF) survey was limited so that halted and the degraded forests around it additional survey efforts are needed regenerated. This currently benefits the Jabonga, to record more unique species which Kitcharao and Santiago communities, offices, may even be new to science. agriculture, and businesses.

The ICCA Documentation: Success amidst Challenges through Consultative Process

The CADT of the Mamanwa-Manobo When the Mamanwa-Manobo tribes community in Jabonga, Kitcharao and decided to pursue ICCA Documentation, Santiago was approved in 2010 but this has their elders were in a predicament not emboldened the people to assert their because of the part where their full rights over their ancestral domain, which Indigenous Knowledge Systems and could have been due to the fact that the title Practices (IKSPs) will be documented for is still yet to be awarded to them. Hence, everyone to access. They feared that if they remained fearful of the possibilities that the IKSP is documented, it might be used their rights will still be disregarded, that they and abused by outsiders. But they also will still be displaced, and that their worry that if their IKSP is not traditional processes and practices will still documented now, then there may be no be sneered upon, among others. With no other chance to do so and the tribe might Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development lose it to those that are in books. and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), the However, if they do not do anything, they Mamanwa-Manobo still has no clear plans might not be recognized; their traditional and policies for environment conservation beliefs and systems may never be fully and community development. appreciated; and their sacred grounds might be destroyed by those who do not Upon the introduction of the term understand its importance. “ICCA,” the Mamanwa-Manobo were wary about it because they did not fully The Mamanwa-Manobo understood understand what it meant. They associated that there is nothing new to the concept it with negative perceptions about of ICCAs except that this time, their “Government-managed Protected Areas” traditional resource management that limited their access to their traditional systems will be given focus and its livelihoods and sources of herbal medicines. documentation shall serve as proof of its They also have doubts whether there could effectivity and contribution in conserving really be genuine people’s participation and the forests and its associated biodiversity. free and prior informed consent. Poverty and They also perceived it as an additional volatile peace and order situations in the area layer of protection for their sacred and also cast doubts on a project that centered important areas. It could also be an on conservation. opportunity to achieve appropriate support for the continued protection of their immediate environment with due and genuine consideration for the A VIEW of Mt. Panlabao, the highest point Mamanwa-Manobo community itself as in the Hilong-Hilong range, from the Sibata its stewards. Seeing the opportunity of ridge in February 2013. It is surrounded by external support from trusted and thick dipterocarp forests safekeeping more than 300,000 tons of carbon. PAFID Mindanao credible partners and realizing that they will not be alone in this endeavor finally tipped the scale towards pursuing documentation, mapping, and registration of their own ICCA. (From left to right) Trained Mamanwa-Manobo local researchers interviewing a Mamanwa leader from Kitcharao; Mamanwa-Manobo leaders discussing locations of NGP sites; Mamanwa-Manobo youth, leaders, and elders with PAFID technical staff conduct forest resource inventory amid heavy downpours.

Making the concept clear, accepted, supported, The documentation process and then owned by the Mamanwa-Manobo community was led by the indigenous took several meetings and dialogues between the people’s organization, Mamanwa-Manobo leaders, partner NGOs, the Mamanwa-Manobo Ancestral National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Domain Management Council of and the Department of Environment and Natural CADT 134 or MMADMC, in the Resources (DENR). This is on top of the community person of its chairman, Dakula representatives’ participation in a regional and a Kagubon Roldan Porogoy. national conference on ICCAs, dialogues with IP UNDP-GEF was instrumental in leaders as well as cross-site visits to other ICCA providing funding support for communities. the ICCA Documentation through the PAWB-led (now the As for the ICCA Documentation proper, there was Biodiversity Management a constant emphasis on participatory processes. Bureau or BMB) New Planning was done with elders, leaders and Conservation Areas in the community members during community consultations Philippines Project (NewCAPP). and tribal council meetings. One leader even said, Technical support first from “Maayo pa mo kay nangutana sa amo. Ang uban kay igo Surigao Economic Development lang niabot dinhi ug gihungit sa amo nga naa proyekto para Foundation, Inc. (SEDFI) and sa among kaayuhan (It is good that you consulted us. then the Philippine Association Others just come and shove their development projects For Intercultural Development, to our faces).” The documentation processes Inc. (PAFID) has facilitated the recognized traditional decision-making processes of ICCA documentation process. the Mamanwa-Manobo tribes including the conduct of Aside from Mamanwa-Manobo rituals. The genuine respect for traditions and sincerity elders, leaders, and community of the NGO partners and the DENR made it easy for members, the process involved the Mamanwa-Manobo community to see the relevance NCIP regional and community of the endeavor to their lives as Indigenous Peoples in offices and DENR-BMB Region Agusan del Norte. XIII.

The Participatory 3-Dimensional Mapping Other IPOs in Mindanao (P3DM), which showed the current land uses and namely the Portulin Tribal extent of the ancestral domain as well as the ICCA, Association (PTA), Upakat te Meg- helped the community in coming up with informed inged te Keretungan he decisions, plans, and policies relevant to nature Ebpengimbetesan (UMKE), Katibe- conservation, ancestral domain protection and an na Mamanwa ka Caraga (KMC), community development. Technical research and Dinarawan Indigenous Peoples processes were combined with traditional methods Organization, and Anticala- during the Forest Resource Inventory and Community Pianing Tribal Organization Mapping which inspired confidence and lifted their (APTO) also supported the dignity as main actors and not mere fence-sitters. The ICCA initiative of the Mamanwa- inclusivity of the documentation process coupled with Manobo Tribe. The latter two conscious efforts at skills and technology transfer IPOs even wanted their ICCAs whenever possible has further encouraged to be the next in line for participation from the community especially the elders documentation, mapping, and and leaders. registration. Threats and Issues

The Mamanwa-Manobo community is fraught with challenges and issues both from external and internal sources. These threaten the very lifeline of the ICCA and the Mamanwa- Manobo community as well.

Cultural change: Weakening of traditional knowledge and governance mechanisms. The A MAMANWA-MANOBO child playing war games in Canaway, system governing the Kitcharao. Canaway has become a relocation area for the management and conservation of dominantly Mamanwa Zapanta Valley, Kitcharao. PAFID the ICCA is rooted in traditional knowledge and belief systems. Control Struggle: Migrants overpowering In fact, the Mamanwa-Manobo Mamanwa-Manobo leaders. This is the case in Sitio ICCA has persisted for this long Kebaroraw in Santiago. An armed and locally feared because of their culturally migrant has stepped-up as the community leader. inherent respect for nature and He is now also in control of the resources in and the unseen forces that somehow around the Sitio and is said to be collecting fees from make everything work and allow IPs and non-IPs alike whenever they obtain saleable them to survive. However, resources in the surrounding area. The Mamanwa- dwindling pride for their own Manobo leaders in the area have initiated diplomatic culture due to discrimination and legal ways to resolve this; however, they are still and overwhelming external fearful of his guns and goons. influences may eventually lead to its disappearance, hence the Unstable Peace and Order: Militarization and ICCA may cease to exist. Internally Displaced Mamanwa-Manobo Communities. Violent encounters between the Philippine military Conflicting interests, forces and armed rebel groups continue to wreak leadership struggles cast havoc on the communities’ day-to-day activities shadows on community particularly those in the municipality of Kitcharao. development and nature This has serious implications on the implementation conservation. The incongruent of the CCP in the said part of the ancestral domain. development outlook of the Many times, upland Kitcharao barangays are forced tribe’s leaders sometimes to temporarily seek shelter in the lowland Jabonga escalates to occasional life and Kitcharao barangays in order to elude the violent threatening encounters between clashes inevitably affecting their livelihood and their groups. Rumors of cultural activities, aside from endangering the questionable transactions regar- peoples’ lives. ding the use of organizational funds by some tribal leaders have Forest Degradation: Choice between quick cash and resulted into the waning trust of quick destruction. Timber poaching and indiscriminate some IPO members. These slash-and-burn farming are the main causes of forest conflicts are taking their toll on degradation in the ancestral domain. However, forms the integrity of the MMADMC of legal and “sustainable” logging such as the 134. If the status quo continues, CBFMA may also be a threat if proper monitoring is the IPO might fall into self-ruin not applied. A Timber Lease Agreement (TLA) has and delay development and also been awarded to Ventura Timber Corporation conservation efforts for the ICCA overlapping with at least 800 hectares or half of the and the Ancestral Domain. Binantazan nga Banwa/Binantajan nu Bubungan. Siltation and more destructive flooding in rivers such as the Asiga have been observed by the Mamanwa- Manobo. They attribute this to landslides in flush and tunnel mining areas, which has also claimed lives of mine workers. Indirectly, increasing population especially of migrant communities in the Mamanwa-Manobo territory contributes to forest degradation as attempts to illegally harvest timber and set-up traps haphazardly also increase.

Misplaced Hopes on Mineral Extraction? The biggest threat to the ICCA still comes from mining, whether small or large scale, legal or illegal. Illegal small-scale mining operations using flushing techniques are currently the (Above) Logs most destructive mining operations that are ongoing in harvested from CADT 134 just right outside of the ICCA’s borders. Maraiging, Although this has been addressed in their conservation Jabonga. (Right) policies, the Mamanwa-Manobo are worried because Mining tunnel in Sibata small-scale miners encroaching into the ICCA are armed, forest. (Below) greedy, and well-connected both to political and tribal Dislodged soil figures. DENR-MGB Region XIII has, however, promised and rocks using flushing to exclude the Mamanwa-Manobo ICCA from all kinds technique for of mining applications and operations. obtaining gold from the bed rock. Both According to the Mining Tenements Control Map mining released by DENR-MGB last September 2014, almost the operations are whole of CADT 134 is covered by several mining permits happening just for the exploration/mining of either gold, copper, silver outside the ICCA borders. or all three minerals. There are four Application for Exploration Permits or EXPA, one approved Exploration Permit or EP, three Applications for Mineral production Sharing Agreement or APSA, and three Approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement or MPSAs. A Proposed Minahang Bayan is also located within the Ancestral Domain. In In the long run, if all applications are approved, what will be left to the Mamanwa-Manobo tribe may be closer to nothing than anything at all.

It is always easy for outsiders to judge Indigenous Peoples communities when they decide to succumb to the promises of a better life by way of mineral extraction. But when one has been wallowing in poverty for the longest time, it is always a struggle to turn away from a quick way out of it.

GUIDING POLICIES IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, USE AND UTILIZATION*

We firmly believe that the best way to govern • The natural resources inside the territory is communal. our territory is to LIVE our culture. But it is a fact However, use and utilization of such resources must be now that the Mamanwa-Manobo are not the only monitored and controlled to prevent it from declining faster. ones who are benefitting from the resources • Regulation is imposed on the types and volume/amount within our territory. We had to ride the changes to be obtained as well as on the timing of natural resource use/ even if it was especially difficult for us because utilization. of our uniqueness and the constant challenge • The policies respect the laws of the Philippines such as of poverty. the IPRA and environmental laws. In a nutshell, our policies encourage the • For every violation, there is an equivalent penalty that is in following: accordance to our Customary Laws and existing laws. • Obtain what is needed and only enough of that which is needed, mindful of the ones who * As presented by Dakula Kanawayan Ruben Anlagan will still be needing it. during the ICCA Declaration. Sustainability

The Mamanwa-Manobo Ancestral Domain DENR-BMB Region XIII, under Management Council of CADT No. 134 the leadership of its chief Mr. Jaime (MMADMC) is the focal structure which is Ubanos, has actually started ticking responsible for the management of the entire off targets included in the CCP. The domain in collaboration with the sectoral DENR-BMB Region XIII has councils. The MMADMC meets regularly on a prioritized CADT 134 to receive monthly basis to discuss updates on projects support for reforestation and and resolve issues and concerns affecting the livelihood thru the National Greening domain. Program (NGP). It has also provided assistance in food security projects The Mamanwa-Manobo recognize that they such as FAITH or Food Always in the will be needing help in keeping the ICCA intact Home Project. At least 10 Mamanwa- as the challenges that lay ahead are evolving Manobo youth and leaders have also into more complex situations. They developed been deputized as Wildlife a Community Conservation Plan (CCP) last Enforcement Officers (WEO) to December 2013 to sustain and improve strengthen monitoring and protection protection and conservation efforts for the initiatives in the ancestral domain. Binantazan nga Banwa/Binantajan nu Bubungan. Arrangements for additional WEOs The CCP also generally seeks to improve the and logistical support to them are Mamanwa-Manobo’s well-being as grassroots already ongoing. stewards of the ICCA and the whole AD. The MMADMC shall be responsible in Because of the active support implementing the plan, however, capacity- being provided by the DENR-BMB building activities should be provided to help Region XIII, the Mamanwa-Manobo improve their skills and knowledge. Trainings are optimistic about the declaration on project management, leadership, financial of the Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range KBA management, organizational development, and as a Protected Landscape. Once project development are under way. approved, it could secure financial, technical and logistical support for Support from both the government and the implementation of the CCP aside private institutions is very much welcome as from providing an additional layer of long as the Mamanwa-Manobo’s rights as legal protection for the ICCA. This grassroots stewards of the ICCA are respected could therefore boost protection and and as long as interventions are culturally conservation efforts for the sensitive. Therefore, any activity or support Mamanwa-Manobo ICCA. The should abide by the plans and policies Mamanwa-Manobo wants to be enshrined in the CCP. Programs on included in the proposed Protected strengthening the cultural foundation of ICCA Area Management Board (PAMB) so initiatives and providing support for economic that they could participate in the upliftment are encouraged to ease the pressure government’s efforts at protecting the on the environment. environment.