In a landmark decision for indigenous rights in the Philippines, the Blaan and Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, are celebrating the official approval of their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs). This historic achievement marks the culmination of a 14-year struggle to secure legal recognition and protection for their ancestral lands and waters.
A Fourteen-Year Journey to Recognition
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Davao Occidental Provincial Office (NCIP-DavOcc) proudly announced this monumental victory. The process began on July 7, 2011, when the application was first filed, with the critical delineation activities commencing in 2014. Provincial Director Atty. Leonor Oralde-Quintayo highlighted the dedication and perseverance required throughout this lengthy period.
The newly approved CADT encompasses a vast territory within the municipality of Jose Abad Santos. It covers a total area of 123,094 hectares, meticulously divided into 62,143.1674 hectares of ancestral land and 60,951.058 hectares of ancestral waters. This domain spans across 25 barangays, including Mangili, Buguis, Culaman, Caburan Small and Big, Marabatuan, and Kitayo, among others.
Empowerment and Hope for Future Generations
For the communities, the CADT is far more than a legal document. Ubanen Paquito Tubon, the municipal IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Jose Abad Santos, expressed profound gratitude, stating that it strengthens the protection of their heritage rights and provides a legacy to pass on. While celebrating, Tubon also voiced the community's hope for supportive infrastructure, such as farm-to-market road projects, to ease the transport of agricultural goods.
Atty. Geroncio Aguio, NCIP-Davao regional director, emphasized the transformative power of the title. "The CADT stands as a powerful recognition of their identity and their inherent rights over their ancestral domain," he said. It empowers the Blaan and Manobo to:
- Gain security of tenure over their territory.
- Protect their cultural integrity and traditional governance systems.
- Manage and conserve their natural resources sustainably.
- Chart their own course for development in harmony with their land.
A Broader Wave of Recognition
This approval is part of a significant wave of recognition for indigenous peoples in the Davao Region. Alongside the Blaan and Manobo of Jose Abad Santos, the Mandaya ICCs of Governor Generoso and Lupon in Davao Oriental also recently had their CADTs approved. NCIP officials commended the unity and unwavering commitment of all these communities.
The momentum is expected to continue. Atty. Oralde-Quintayo revealed that they are anticipating the approval of three more CADTs for the Blaan ICCs of Sarangani town and the Sangil ICCs of both Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani. This series of approvals signals a strengthening commitment to upholding the rights of the Philippines' indigenous peoples, ensuring their cultures and homelands are preserved for generations to come.
