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 Caraga

Manobo are two region are the oldest existing
distinct ethnic groups group of people in the Philippines
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, Jabonga, “man” (first) and “banwa” (forest).
between the mountain ridges
and shore of Lake Mainit (above
and Kitcharao, all in They were already roaming the
right), providing a view of Mt. Agusan del Norte, 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;
Mamanwa man and woman from
elder Mindanao. in the area.
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, Surigao del Sur 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 Lake Mainit 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, Tubay, and even
At least 31 globally threatened Cabadbaran, 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
dominantly Mamanwa Zapanta Valley, Kitcharao. PAFID
management and conservation of
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.