AIRAH AMEROL SAMO

MA-HISTORY MAJOR IN MINDAO STUDIES

HISTORY 211 (THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF MINDANAO)

Rovillos, Raymundo and Morales Daisy N. "Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Minorities and Poverty

Reduction in Philippines" Poverty Assessment in Mindanao Region ADB (Asian Development

Bank), Manila Philippines; June 2002. pp. 33-51

Introduction

One-third of the Philippines' poor population was lived in Mindanao. According to the

ADB (Asian Development Bank), the island's contribution to total poverty in the country is

approximately 31%. The major factors affecting the financial stability of the indigenous people

specifically in Bukidnon and Davao are their general demographics and their socio economic

situation.

Poverty and inequality have been recurrent challenges in the Philippines and again

come to the fore in the wake of the current global financial crisis. The Millennium Development
Goal (MDG) accomplishments to date will also be assessed. It will examine implications of the

current financial crisis on poverty and recommend ways to move forward.

The concept of poverty among indigenous people has generic terms that approximate

the term poor. Some examples identified by specific group are: Bl'aan -toao telado; Mamanua

- adyu-adyu; Ubo Manobo -kaayuwan; makairo-iro, wara wara, kahirapon, kaaya-aya an;

Teduray--miskinan, enda enda; Bagobo Tagabanwa-kandaan; Mandaya -al'lang; and T'boli

-el-el. There is further need, however, to subject these terminologies to more validation in

terms of their levels of meanings. The term poor is considered not to apply to Lumads,. The

indigenous peoples assert that they are not poor, but are living in difficult circumstances

brought about specifically by loss of land and access to resources.

F11

F12 Prtsc
Pause

Del (

Summary

Up

Ihis artiIcle discussed about how indigenous people in Mindanao experenced po

Ihus the authors conducted two case studies that show how the Higaonon Community n

Bukidnon and the Ata-Manobo Community in Davao faced deprivation ageravated by he

8E COmpanies and the government policies on land tenure upon the land settlement in

Bukidnon on 1970s.

in the Higaonon community, conflict within ancestral domain is resolved by the Datu

and the village captain. Their political institution was continued to practice, recognize, and

espect tne traditional Datu leadership system. Since the Higaonon have been slowly converting
Trom swidden farming to lowland agriculture, construction of rice paddies is perceived to be a

symbol of promise of food security and better life because it will enable them to plant and

harvest thrice yeariy.

LOgging was also greatly altered the cycle of traditional farming systems. Due to more

intensive use of the land, their tarm productivity lessened. The problem was ageravated by a

build-up of pests and disease. As a result the harvests have not been sufficient to sustain the

Higaonon communities between cropping. The situation was ag8gravated by government

policies on land tenure and resource use, greatly limiting access to forest zone. Then logging

activities by Nasipit and Agusan logging companies from 1980 to the early 1990s affected the

economic, social and political aspect of the community.

The poverty promoting factors are: they cannot totally access free education, their

educational facilities consist of two public elementary schools; secondary education has to be

pursued outside the area. However, Indigenous people see the importance of sending their
children to school even it costs are beyond what they can afford. Thus, families do not hesitate

to sell a piece of land or an heirloom to meet school expenses.

In Ata Manobo, like Higaonon they were swidden farmers, the product of this group are

root crops such as sweet potato, cassava, taro, and also grown corn, banana, coffee, and abaca.

Problems faced by the farmers include rats that feed on the harvest and lack of capital or

financing for farm inputs. The most common item used to generate cash is wild abaca

transported to the market in bundled strings. Corn is likewise sold through entrepreneurs who

serve as credit source.

As recent as 1983, the forest in the area was still intact. The Datus interviewed said they

were living in harmony with the forests, which produced all they needed. Then, a 25-year old

logging concession was granted to the Alcantara Company. There was steady depletion of
forest areas and loss of biodiversity was taken over by the logging operations.

NOW, the people cannot clear the cogon grass areas. The cultivation of upland rice nas

become ditticult for them because the of the limited amount of planting materials and tne son

has Decome too compact, making even sweet potato cultivation difficult. These tactors nave

resulted in food being the primary problem in the area.

Ente

Conclusion

ne programs and projects reaching the indigenous peoples of the Philippines are made

Shift

possible through the support of international agencies; (the International Labor Organization,

the Philippine-Australia Community Assistance Program [PACAP), and the World Bank); the

government, NGOs, and IPOs.

Consistent with indigenous people's perception of the life they want to like are such

aspirations as the full implementation of the Indigenous People Rights Act [IPRA)- Which

closely linked with the development of ancestral domains, because the indigenous people seek

the recognition of their rights to their domains, the rights to develop the land as they see fit,

and to regain territories lost either through sale at a low price or acquisition through

government agreement.

Without their ancestral land, indigenous peoples have no livelihood, no identity, and no

means of survival because aside from fishing they almost defend on farming. In this context, the

Indigenous peoples need to be consulted about use of their land that should include in

development processes For instance, the Land settlement in Bukidnon. And also logging

Companies need to take this on board too and conduct proper due diligence prior to embarking

on, and before logging operations.

The indigenous people also have rights to access education, livelihood programs and
financial assistance, self-governance, respect for their people and their culture, organization for

protection, improved infrastructure, and participation in the development process.