Gov’t troops to protect Manobo-Mamanwa ancestral domain in Agusan Norte
By Nora
L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) of the Philippine Army in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte has partnered with the indigenous people (IPs) covered by Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 092.
In a
Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Grant of Usufructuary Rights signed by the
two parties, CADT leaders of the Manobo-Mamanwa Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) granted the 29IB access to their
ancestral domain, covering the areas of Cabadbaran City, Santiago, and
Tubay in the province of Agusan del Norte, for the establishment of their camps
and detachments within the areas of CADT 092.
The road to peace in the province of Agusan del Norte becomes stronger as the indigenous people (IPs) covered by Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 092 signed a Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Grant of Usufructuary Rights with 29th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Cabadbaran City, allowing the troops from the 29IB to access their ancestral domain and establishment of company command posts and patrol bases. Photo courtesy of the 29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine Army)
“We are so grateful for the cooperation of all the IPs of CADT 092. The agreement is important in preserving their cultural heritage and ancestral domain rights of Indigenous communities, honoring their deep-rooted connection to the land and resources, and promoting their identity and continuity,” said 29IB commanding officer, LtCol. Cresencio C. Gargar.
“The
government troops have pledged to ensure the security and protection of the IPs
of CADT 092 against threats or encroachments on their territory,” he added.
“The
partnership will help empower the indigenous community through
capacity-building programs and socio-economic initiatives, enabling them to
actively engage in decisions affecting their ancestral domain,” Gargar said.
“The 29IB
has usufructuary rights over 16,496 square meters of land to be used as sites
for company command posts and patrol bases. Three sites were identified and put
into terms that include the company command post at Sitio Pulang Lupa, Barangay
Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, having an area of 5,716 sq. m.; the patrol base
at Sitio Dagnasay, Barangay Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, with a lot area of
8,890 sq. m.; and the 1,890 sq. m. for patrol base at Sitio Lusong, Barangay.
Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City,” National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
Regional Director Ordonio P. Rocero said.
Rocero
supported the granting of the usufructuary rights to the 29IB by the CADT right
holders, stating, “This move strengthens the security force of the ancestral
domain. The AFP serves as the main protectors of the state and the people from
all forms of threats to national security, territorial integrity, national
sovereignty, and the welfare and safety of the people, including the ICCs/IPs.”
The grant of CADT leaders’ usufructuary rights to the AFP served as a pioneering peace partnership in the Caraga region. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
