ICCA CASE DOCUMENTATION

Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw The Indigenous Communities Conserved Areas of the Higaunon People of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon

CADT No. R10-IMP-1206-054

I. DESCRIPTION

Geographical Location

The Ancestral Domain belonging to the Higaunon of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon (AGMIHICU) with Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) No. R10-IMP- 1206-054 is situated in the barangays of Kalabugao and Hagpa of the municipality of , and Brgy. San Luis of the municipality of Malitbog, all in the province of , in , . The Ancestral Domain Figure 1. Location map of AGMIHICU CADT 054. 7592 contains a total land area of Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen and /1000 (14,313.7592) hectares, more or less.

The community is traditionally divided into two large gaop (tribal village), Mintapod and Agtulawon, which forms part of the “Lompatag”, the sacred ground of Higaunon communities in Northern Mindanao. This area comprises the montane rainforests of the Mt. Kimangkil Range near the tri-border of the provinces of Bukidnon, and Agusan del Sur.

Based on the participatory mapping, the community described two types of their ICCA, namely: Patagonan and Bahaw-bahaw. Patagonan encompasses a land area of 3,926.61 hectares while Bahaw-bahaw covers 6,936.50 hectares. In total, the ICCA of the Higaunon community of AGMIHICU spans an area of 10,863.11 hectares. In whole, Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw consists of primary montane rainforest dominated by Philippine Oaks (Lithocarpus spp.) with several Philippine Dipterocarps.

It is important to note that while the approved CADT of AGMIHICU only span within the barangays of Kalabugao and Hagpa of the municipality of Impasugong, and Brgy. San Luis of the municipality of Malitbog, all in the province of Bukidnon, their actual ICCA reaches Brgy. San Vicente of the municipality of Esperanza in the province of Agusan del Sur and Brgy. Minalwang of the municipality of Claveria in the province of Misamis Oriental.

Figure 2. Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw, the Indigenous Communities Conserved Areas of the Higaunon People of AGMIHICU. Higaunon Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples

The Higaunon are a minority ethnic group in Northern Mindanao who inhabit the mountains of the actual provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. The “Higaunon” word came from the word “gaun”, which means, one who ascends the mountains from the coastal plains in reference to their ancestors who originally lived in the plains and moved to the highlands to avoid strangers (Tebtebba, 2011). They identify themselves as highlanders recognizing the presence of lowlanders who settled in their area whom they refer as Dumagat. They used the word Dumaan (daan – means old) or Hintulok (originally from this place) for self-identity. (AGMIHICU ADSDPP, 2009)

Upland farming forms the primary livelihood of the community in AGMIHICU where abaca (Musa textilis, an endemic plant of Musaceae family cultivated for fiber production), maize, root crops and rice are the main crops cultivated. Rootcrops like sweet potatoes (camote) and yam (adupa, labug) are abundantly produced in Figure 3. Higaunon community in Mintapod, Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon. the area. The traditional kaingin farming as main economic activity has relatively died out with only few community members maintaining, as majority already shifted to conventional crop cultivation. Despite this, the processing of non-timber forest products for subsistence use and as additional income source including wild abaca, honey, among others has been sustained. Traditional hunting for subsistence and gathering of a number of non-timber forest products including herbal medicine is still being practiced. Higaunon women within the community formed an association called Kalandang Weavers and are active in producing high-quality Hinabol cloth, the traditional hand-woven textile among Higaunon communities derived from the fine fibers of abac a which is traditionally used as gifts and peace offerings.

Due to the absence of recent population survey of the Higaunon residing within Brgys. Kalabugao and Hagpa, Impasugong, it is estimated by the tribal council that IP household within their ancestral domain reaches to 305 households or roughly 2,500 individuals. However, based on the last population census undertaken by Brgy. Hagpa, where approximately eighty percent of the ancestral domain is situated, Higaunon accounts to forty to fifty percent of the total population while the remaining percent consisted of Cebuano, Boholano and other non-IP settlers and migrants.

The Higaunon and their Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw

The culture and traditions of Higaunon people is closely link to their forest and environment. The land and resources within their ancestral domain, for instance, have been primarily used by the community for cultural activities and practices. Higaunon communities’ motivation for the conservation of their Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw could be link to the intimate and deeply-rooted relationship with their environment. Using their own traditional resource management and conservation practices to protect these areas as it provided them with historical, spiritual, cultural, ecological and economic significance.

Since time immemorial, forested landscape which covers most of their ancestral domain have been maintained and designated by the community as Patagonan and Bahaw-bahaw, their Indigenous Communities Conserved Areas (ICCAs). These two types of ICCAs have distinct spiritual, historical, ecological and cultural values and thus governed by the Higaunon community through their unique customary policies.

Patagonan is revered by the Higaunon community of Figure 4. Higaunon hunter within the Patagonan daw AGMIHICU as sacred and worship Bahaw-bahaw of gaop Mintapod. place, as these areas are dotted with their sacred places and consists their spirit forests. They believed that these areas are the dwelling place of nature spirits and the Supreme Being they called “Magbabaya”. Higaunon communities manifest their relationship to their environment, the nature spirits aboding in it and the Magbabaya through offering rituals as means to communicate with them. These rituals are regularly conducted by the tribe or as the need arise. For instance, a Pamumulakaw ritual is conducted to manifest their relationship to the usefulness of water and to the spirits that dwell therein. Talabugtâ ritual, on another hand, is a ritual offered to the spirit of land or soil. Panumanod ritual is offered to the forest spirits which also constitute the ritual for hunting.

Patagonan is a binukid or Higaunon word which refers to places declared by the owner of the gaop as sanctuary or has been reserved for the future generation. With this, Patagonan are enjoined with strict customary policies. It also serves as genetic pool for when wildlife passes inside its perimeters hunters and/or gatherers are forbidden to capture and/or gather. Patagonan functions as core zone or strict protection zone as compared to the system in place for the government Protected Areas. The other ICCA type managed by AGMIHICU is called Bahaw-bahaw. These areas refer to places where the community is allowed to hunt and/or gather forest resources wherein harvesting and resource use is governed by the community’s tradition and customary policies. Bahaw-bahaw primarily consist the community’s hunting ground. It is where they hunt important wildlife for subsistence, and gather or harvest non-timber forest products for food, medicine and livelihoods. Bahaw-bahaw functions as buffer zone to Patagonan.

Figure 5. Sacred ground of Higaunon ICCs/IPs, forms a contagious forested landscape within the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

II. HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES

Brief History

The history of the Higaunon of CADT No. R10-IMP-1206-054 can be drawn out from mantukaw, a kind of oral tradition which is chanted only by their privileged Datu or tribal elders. Higaunon has a strict rule not just to narrate their stories to anyone much more without asking the permission from their ancestors’ spirits through religious rituals. History for them is sacred. They valued it as one of their few treasures. (AGMIHICU ADSDPP, 2009)

Origin of the Higaunon People

Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon ancestral domain is part of a larger Higaunon territory within the north and central region of Mindanao. Higaunon talugan or ancestral territory encompass four provinces including Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte and are set down by customary law known to them as “walo ha talugan” (eight territories). Higaunon talugan is delineated by the eight major rivers originating from Mt. Kimangkil including , Balatukan River, , Kabulig River, Lanao River, Odiongan River, , and Tagoloan River. (Cumatang, et al., 2018)

As written by De Vera and Zingapan (2004), Mintapod’s origin story recounts a great flood that submerged the entire territory until only Mt. Kimangkil remained above water. The sole survivor was Apo Entampil, a pregnant woman who escaped the cataclysm by climbing the mountain’s peak. Because Mt. Kimangkil afforded her life, Apo Entampil set down laws to protect the mountain and instilled the restrictions to her children over time. Her children’s descendants became known as the people who followed Apo Entampil’s laws. In due course, Apo Entampil’s descendants increased and spread throughout Mindanao, becoming known as the Higaunon, Manobo, Maranao and other Mindanao groups. The narratives liken the Higaunon, Manobo and Maranao to “fingers on a hand” – closely related by blood. Hence, the oral histories suggest that the rationale for customary laws protecting Mt. Kimangkil is the mountain’s role as a refuge from extreme natural calamities. Flaviano Amonhay explains that Mt. Kimangkil is to Higaunon what Mecca is to Muslim: Higaunon hold Mt. Kimangkil sacred because the mountain saved the mother of the race (“our mother”), the woman regarded as the mother of all Mindanao people. Datu Mantangkilan recounts that many generations after the deluge, Apo Pabulusoh was born in the Kimangkil range and became a datu. Unlike the present custom however, Apo Pabulusoh’s investiture was not performed by humans but rather was directly commissioned by spirits who taught the Apo ethics and laws for a good society. Apo Pabulusoh was the ancestor who began defending the territory and instituted the protection measures for the land and the forests, effectively claiming the area and defining the talugan in the process. He taught people the customary laws that are being followed and handed down to the present day (Mantangkilan 2004). Elders in other gaup credit Apo Pabulusoh as the author of the Bungkatol ha Bulawan.

On the Genealogy of Elders/Leaders

The genealogical roots of the elders/leaders of CADT No. R10-IMP-1206-054 could be traced from their katu-adan or generation back to that Pig-agawan ta Tapel event which occurred in the 15th or 16th century. From this, one could conclude that around that time or possibly before 15th century, the Higaunon of Northern Bukidnon settled themselves in the area.

Amay Mantangkilan Cumatang of Mintapod named seven (7) generations up to the time the Pig-agawan ta Tapel Conference was held. Datu Mahaganaw was the leader of their community during that time but he was represented by his spokesman Datu Bilogon on that event. He was succeeded by the following:

1. Datu Kahulugan 4. Datu Apo Cumatang 2. Datu Ub-uba 5. Datu Manhaglawan, 3. Datu Pinatundan 6. Datu Amay Mantangkilan.

Amba Palasambag, who was the masikampu or Supreme Datu of Northern Mindanao, traced his generation back to that historic Pig-agawan ta Tapel conference. Datu Maagyawi was the Chieftain of their village at the time that was represented by Datu Indelum. The following were the successors of his forefathers from the time of the conference:

1. Datu Maagyawi 6. Datu Guinolabongan 2. Datu Bu-oy Inidagan 7. Datu Pinaobay 3. Datu Bu-oy Tinamaingan 8. Datu Pinalantaw 4. Datu Kamadahan 9. Datu Palasambag. 5. Datu Binagtingan

Datu Maagyawi (Amba Palasambag’s ancestor) and Datu Mahaganaw (Amay Mantangkilan’s ancestor) were chieftains of different villages, which are presently known as the Agtulawon- Mintapod territory. During their time, Datu Baklawan believed to be the Supreme Datu of Northern Bukidnon, initiated the Pig-agawan ta Tapel Conference.

On the Participation of Women in History

Bae Nay Habunan, Bae Nay Apluyan Tumana, Bae Pinasihong Cumatang, Bae Namatlayag Pinaandil, Bae Namayahan Altohan, and Bae Cumadon revealed the indispensable participation of women in the Higaunon community. Their role include among others:

1. pugna-o daw pugnanaw ho mga bata 2. mangunguyamo 3. manunulam daw tigna-o ho poghimo ho hinabol, banig daw tangkulo 4. tig-alima ho datu doon ko amin buluhaton 5. tigbulig poghusay ho mga datu 6. tag-ibit ho balaud daw tagapahinumdom ho maama (as alter ego of men).

Two of these women are identified as tigbulig pogpanalipod ho kalinaw being the “padiding” or protector of the tribe. This role is being handed down from one generation to another. For them, hura datu ko hura iglagimo/igbahi.

Time Immemorial Possession

The history of Higaunon people reflects the time immemorial management and protection of their ancestral territory which include their Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw. The management of these sacred and conservation sites were handed from generation to generation. Since then the Higaunon indigenous community has devoted to the protection and conservation of these said areas.

Singampu, a general assembly attended by the datu from Agtulawon-Mintapod at the junction of Pulangi and Tapel Rivers initiated by Datu Baklawan was done to resolve and settle their disputes. The Tapel Conference also deliberated on the customs and traditions of the Higaunon. The historical Pig-agawan ta Tapel Conference usually lasts for several months or more than a year.

Community Conservation Initiatives

As early as 1990’s, the community with support from various Civil Society Organizations/Non-Government Organizations (CSOs/NGOs) has been proactive in implementing programs and projects which aim to sustainably manage their ancestral domain.

On 1998, AGMIHICU began processing its claim for ancestral domain with assistance from Fr. Vincent Cullen Tulugan Learning and Development Center (FVCTLDC). It is also during this time when AGMIHICU with support from Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) implemented sustainable livelihood programs specifically engaging in community-based enterprises such as Hinabol weaving and food processing.

On 2005, the Philippine Association for Inter-Cultural Development (PAFID) has assisted the community in the construction of a 3-dimensional model of their ancestral domain. And, eventually, on 2008, CADT was awarded to AGMIHICU with assistance from the UNOPS- DAR/IFAD-Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives and Resource Management Project (NMCIREMP) and various groups including FVCTLDC, NTFP-EP, Kaanib Foundation, Indigenous Peoples Apostolate (IPA), Asian Council for People’s Culture (ACPC), Josefa Segovia Foundation (JSF), IPEX-AnthroWatch, Balay Mindanaw, and Green Mindanao.

On 2009, AGMIHICU together with Anthropology Watch (AnthroWatch) first delineated the boundaries of their Patagonan in Mintapod through GPS survey and made an initial resource assessment. In 2015, NTFP-EP assisted the community in the full delineation of its Patagonan. It is also during this time were Indigenous leaders at the national-level called for the conservation of ICCAs in the country. Since then, AGMIHICU key leaders headed by Datu Amay Mantangkilan Cumatang, the head claimant of AGMIHICU and Insaan (tribal elder) of gaop Mintapod, proactively participated and engaged in endeavors to promote and protect their ICCA.

Prior to this, on 2011 – 2013, Datu Amay Mantangkilan Cumatang was awarded with the Darrel Posey Fellowship Award of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) in recognition of his long-standing and profound commitment to the social and environmental renewal among his people and, especially, for his efforts at Figure 6. Datu Mantangkilan securing the protection of their Patagonan daw Bahaw- Cumatang, AGMIHICU Head bahaw. ISE is a global collaborative network of individuals Claimant and respected datu and organizations working to preserve vital links between among Higaunon elders. human societies and the natural world.

Through increased call from Indigenous leaders around the country, the Philippine government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) implemented a national project to officially recognize ICCAs within the country as effective means to forest conservation. With this, the Philippine ICCA Project entitled, “Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Communities Conserved Areas and Territories” has been implemented by the government through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). AGMIHICU is one of the ten sites to which the project is being implemented and has been assisted by NTFP-EP Philippines as its Local Responsible Partner (LRP) for the project.

With support from the said project, AGMIHICU has undertaken ICCA documentation through participatory mapping, documentation of their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), and conducting Forest Resource Inventory to their Patagonan daw Bahaw- bahaw. As a result of these activities, AGMIHICU has fully delineated its ICCA, developed its Community Conservation Plan (CCP), enhanced its Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), and finally, on March 14, 2019, AGMIHICU declared its Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw. The ICCA Declaration was witnessed by partner agencies including DENR through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Bukidnon and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Manolo Fortich, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) of Impasugong and Malitbog, Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of Hagpa and Kalabugao, and various support CSOs/NGOs.

III. CONSERVATION

For the Higaunon, conservation of the environment signifies the sustenance of their tribe and culture. The abundance offered by the environment weighs the abundance of their heritage and needs. These deeply-rooted Higaunon principles interweave cultural sustenance and environmental conservation using their traditional and sustainable resource management practices.

AGMIHICU’s Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw could be seen as two clusters basing on the original tribal villages which joined hands in the protection of both their ancestral territory, namely: gaop Agtulawon and Mintapod.

Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw clustering at Mintapod forms a portion of the Kimangkil range which is part of the Kimangkil-Kalanawan-Sumagaya-Pamalihi (KKSP) Mountain Region and covers an approximate land area of 100,000 hectares. The KKSP Mountain Region is home to the Higaunon people as it has been surrounded by the adjoining Higaunon talugan and plays significant role to the historical, cultural and spiritual beliefs of Higaunon ICCs/IPs of North and Central Mindanao. On another hand, those clustering along Agtulawon are within Mt. Kaulayan-Mt. Kinabalian Complex Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) which is one of the priority sites for conservation in the Philippines. The Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw shares an area of 6,125.73 hectares to Mt. Kaulayan-Mt. Kinabalian KBA. In whole, AGMIHICU ICCAs fall within the Important Bird Area (IBA) of Mt. Kaulayan-Mt. Kinabalian Complex.

Based on the participatory biodiversity assessment conducted with the community, critically endangered and threatened species of flora and fauna could be observed within the ICCA as both listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order (DENR AO No. 2007-01). Most notable is the presence of the endemic Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) which is categorized by both lists as Critically Endangered. During the conduct of Panlaoy or the traditional forest monitoring of the Higaunon community on May 10, 2018, a juvenile Philippine Eagle was observed at the ICCA in Mt. Sakat along gaop Mintapod. Community members attested that the ICCA is breeding ground of the Philippine Eagle.

Notable fauna observations within ICCA include vulnerable species such as Philippine Brown Deer (Rusa Marianna), Philippine Warty Pig (Sus philippensis), Philippine Macque (Macaca fascicularis), Mindanao Bleeding Heart (Gallicolumba crinigera), and Writhed Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus).

The participatory floristic survey result include Critically Endangered species of Philippine Dipterocarps such as White Lauan (Shorea contorta), Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), Tanguile (Shorea polysperma), and Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan). Some of the vulnerable flora species observed includes Kalingag (Cinnamomum mindanaense) and Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) which are both culturally significant to the Higaunon community.

Further, the ICCAs of the Higaunon community of AGMIHICU are an essential part of the Upper Pulangi Watershed. The rivers and streams within the ancestral domain feed the multitude of rice paddies and agricultural areas especially in the barangays of Hagpa and Kalabugao which is considered as the grain capital of the municipality of Impasugong, Bukidnon. As a compact primary forested landscape, it has obvious effect to the micro- climate within the area especially during dry seasons.

IV. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Higaunon Traditional Governance System

Magbabaya, the Supreme Being revered by Higaunon ICCs/IPs, is central to the life of Higaunon people. His nature spirits is manifested in rituals conducted by Higaunon Datu.

According to Biernatzki (1973), the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of Higaunon is based on a Datu (kadadatu-i), in which one or more datu serves as representative of the tribe, settler of conflict, and ritualist among others. A Datu heads a particular gaop which is usually a sitio and actively involves in social, political, and religious tribal activities. The number of Datu increases by time through investiture (dang-ol). A Supreme Datu or masikampu is recognize as the highest datu of the Higaunon and functions as head of the community. However, many datu is unwilling to take the title of being a masikampu as Higaunon datu deeply honors humility.

The Higaunon in this community recognize certain leader or head of settlement which they addressed as Amay or Amba. Both Mintapod and Agtulawon communities, including the other small communities, have joined hands and agreed to become one territory, in consonant with their tultulanon. The Agtulawon-Mintapod territory has already existed as ancestral territory prior to the existence of the well-established Cities in the Island of Mindanao. These cities include Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Gingoog, which were still barrios at that time. Their ancestral domain was already sparsely inhabited by Higaunon during the Spanish colonization, although it was on the mid-20th century that these people started to build relatively small cohesive communities, which consisted of three (3) to four (4) households. (ADSDPP, 2009)

AGMIHICU ancestral domain, consistent to the principle of self- delineation, includes the following traditional territories or gaop: Agtulawon, Mintapod, Pulahon, Kabagtukan, Bontongon, Amosig, Tug- unganon, Lonson, Lamingan, Naabat, Paculab, Mahagwa, and Hagpa Proper. Each gaop is headed by a datu and represents the community’s council of elders called “Insaan”.

The Insaan of AGMIHICU serves as the management body of the Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw enforcing their customary laws called Bungkatol ha bulawan daw nang ka tasa ha lana ko Ipoan ku Pinaglaw. The Bungkatol ha Figure 7. The Indigenous Political Structure of the Bulawan is the body of laws that Higaunon of AGMIHICU. makes up Higaunon customary laws and serves as the basis of Higaunon datu in managing their ancestral domain. Each Insaan then exercises jurisdiction over ICCAs within their gaop. Collectively, the council of elders in consultation with their Sangka and Pamalukan (second- line leader) manages the entire ancestral domain utilizing their traditional resource management practices. (Cumatang, et al., 2018)

Pamanigan or the community’s traditional forest guards functions as the oversight of Insaan in enforcing customary resource management policies to their Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw. A Higaunon member is chosen and delegated by an Insaan of his/her gaop as Pamanigan given he/she possesses the qualities desired by the Insaan. Each gaop of AGMIHICU assigns two to three Pamanigan who is tasked to monitor the condition of Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw within their gaop’s jurisdiction. The Pamanigan then feedbacks the result of the Panlaoy to the Insaan through the meeting of council of elders. Violators of the customary policy are penalized through sala (salaon), a ritual conducted by Insaan which weighs on the severity of the violation to resolve the conflict.

Threats to the Ancestral Domain and ICCAs

The community is faced with various threats from inappropriate development, encroachment, perpetuation of illegal activities, insurgency and loss of their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP).

Among these threats, the community identified the construction of national highway within their ancestral territory as the most threatening. Although the community in general is in favor of the road construction, they are threatened because the project is being implemented without Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Currently, two national highways are being constructed in the area. These are the Damay to Gingoog road which will pass through gaop Mintapod and the Kalabugao to Butuan road which will pass through gaop Mahagwa. The Damay to Gingoog road will also impact portions of the forested area although community members were ensured that the road will not pass at Sanggayan (Mintapod’s Patagunan). With these openings, community members are worried that this will intensify existing threats in the area such as trespassing, timber poaching, and wildlife hunting among others.

Aside from the national road construction, insurgency caused by the long-standing conflict between the government forces and the guerrilla group of non-state armed group which already persisted for decades poses imminent threat to the ICCs/IPs. The said armed struggle has caused aggravating peace and order situation in the area and greatly affected the movement and livelihood of the community. In addition to this, some of the community’s tribal leaders were also threatened by the non-state armed group. This situation has aggravated after the lifting of the ceasefire agreement which yielded several occasions of crossfire in the area. Rebel groups also opposed to the idea of organizing and deploying forest guards. They send threats to Insaan who are pro-forest guards. The rebels are self-proclaimed forest guards and thus question the training of forest guards.

There are threats from unpermitted wildlife hunting and harvesting of forest products even inside Patagonan or forest sanctuary undertaken by some community members and non- state armed groups. Traces of traps and cut vines were observed by community members inside the no-touch Patagonan. Both forest areas in Hagpa and Kalabugao are susceptible to this especially gaop Mahagwa and Paculab where road construction is on-going. Also, this threat might affect Mintapod as another road opening is planned to be established in the area.

On encroachment, there are already community members who have sold their farmlands to lowland non-IP dwellers. This is true for the case of Brgys. Kalabugao and Hagpa. Now, majority of the land devoted for agriculture (for instance rice cultivation) are now owned by non-IP members who originally lived in the lowland. During the past years, locals have leased their land to corporations such as in the case of Oil Palm plantation. An estimated 300 hectares has been converted to Oil palm plantation situated in Sitio Paculab although it has been stopped by AGMIHICU in the recent years.

AGMIHICU especially the community in gaop Mintapod is considered as the cultural capital among the Higaunon ICCs/IPs in Northern Mindanao. However, with the increasing in- migration of non-IPs for land and out-migration of IP community members for livelihood in the lowland, there is on-going threat of loss of indigenous knowledge and practices to the Higaunon community. Many of the community members and proposed leaders who have attained education are now living in the lowland.

Measures Undertaken to Address Threats

With the passage of the Philippine law, RA No. 8371 otherwise known as the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997, AGMIHICU has gained ownership of its ancestral domain with the issuance of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title or CADT. This has given AGMIHICU priority rights over their ancestral domain.

However, this does not secure the ICCAs of the community from extractive and destructive activities, as entities and corporations could still apply for an FPIC within their ancestral domain and operate. With this, the community has been actively engaged in its ICCA initiative including conducting ICCA documentation and capacity building of its key leaders in order to increase the community’s capacity in responding to threats within their ancestral domain.

V. WHAT’S NEXT AND LESSONS LEARNED

The Higaunon community of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon has developed a five-year Community Conservation Plan (CCP) which forms as enhancement to the Protection aspect of their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP). The said plan stipulates the objectives, activities, and sustainability policies envisioned by the community to advance the sustainable development and conservation of their Ancestral Domain and Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw. AGMIHICU sees the implementation of Enhance School of Living Traditions (ESLT) as means to intensify transfer of their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices from the tribal elders (culture bearers) to the next generation. The community is also set to engage in a REDD-plus preparedness program to continue their ICCA initiative.

Due to the threats from inappropriate development, persistence of illegal activities, disregard to their right as Indigenous Peoples, and changing climate, the community needs the support especially of government agencies and CSOs/NGOs in the continued advancement of their sustainable development and conservation causes. Amidst these threats, one of the striking needs of the community is the immediate recognition and support to their Pamanigan (community forest guards) in enforcing both customary policies and environmental laws. Aside from this, the interfacing of their ADSDPP to government plans would help in prioritizing appropriate development needs.

One of the lessons learned throughout the ICCA Documentation process undertaken by the community is that ICCA is an avenue for different government agencies such as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Local Government Units, and the Civil Society Organizations/Non-Government Organizations (CSOs/NGOs) to collaborate and advance the development and conservation needs of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples.

VI. REFERENCES

The Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon.

Cumatang, B.D., et al., 2018. Documentation of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices of the Higaunon Indigenous Cultural Community/Indigenous People of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon.

De Vera, D.E. and R.M. Zingapan, 2004. Task Force Cumadon Collaborative Planning for an Ancestral Domain. The International Center for Research in Agroforestry.

Tebtebba Foundation, 2011. Understanding the Lumad: A Closer Look at a Misunderstood Culture.

International Society of Ethnobiology. Retrieved at: http://www.ethnobiology.net

Kalasan (Forest), 2009. A video presentation for the Patagonan daw Bahaw-bahaw of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon (AGMIHICU) produced by Non-Timber Forest Products Task Force (NTFP), Fr. Vincent Cullen Tulugan Learning Development Center (FVCTLDC), and AGMIHICU.