First published on 09/05/2013, and last updated on 03/05/2018
By: Datu Migketay Victorino L. Saway, Talaandig Elder (Honorary Member)
The efforts of the Talaandig, Bukidnon, Higaonon and Manobo tribes have been focused on strengthening their Cultural Guards to secure and protect their sacred mountain, Mt. Kitanglad, as a worship area and a landmark of their cultural history and identity as peoples. The next step was to declare Mt. Kitanglad as an ICCA and enforce customary rules to govern the entire mountain.
For the first time, Native Title rights (as provisioned by the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act – IPRA of 1997) have been recognised by a big corporation, the Unifrutti Group of Companies. A “Sacred Customary Compact” was signed between the group, represented by its CEO John Perrine, and the keepers of the boundaries – who represent their genuine and authentic leadership – of the four tribes’ traditional territories in Misamis Oriental, Iligan city and Bukidnon, on December 16. This process was facilitated by the Hineleban Foundation and based on a Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and partnership to protect the rainforests of Mt. Kitanglad. The proclamation and signature were attended by many officials: Nereus Acosta (Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection), Rolando Cusio (Office of Political Affairs), Richard Dee (who represented Ambassador Howard Dee), Commissioner Cosme Lambayon (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples), and Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. (offering a final message of support mentioning the possibility of providing honoraria to the Talaandig Cultural Guards).
Previously, on November 22-25, a community gathering had taken place to build consensus on a draft compact, which resulted in the Declaration on the Coverage of the Traditional Territories of the Talaandig, Bukidnon, Higaonon and Manobo Communities by Native Titles and Proclamation of Mt. Kitanglad as a sacred area. The activity culminated with a Bigela, a ritual strengthening the unity of the Traditional Peace Pact Holders and Border Keepers of Iligan City, Bukidnon Province and Misamis Oriental.
You can have a glimpse at the Hineleban Foundation work with the Talaandig people in our film “Waway Saway and the Talaandig tribe band”. Please disseminate this video to support us!
See the film HERE.
