PSOBC LOCAL AREA PUBLIC SAFETY-SECURITY STUDY (LAPSSS)

REPORT

BARANGAY GAANG

PLT CHRISTINE JOY G BULLAN

PLT NARISSA GUMOLDA
PLT EDITHA M PAGALILAUAN

1
I. INTRODUCTION

Kalinga is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative

Region, Northern Philippines. It has eight municipalities scattered along
flatland, valleys and plateaus. The Kalinga province has the distinction of
being known as the “rice granary of the North,” due to its prodigious levels of
rice production, and this is a source of great pride for Kalinga farmers.

Officially the Municipality of Tanudan is a 4th class municipality in

the province of Kalinga, Philippines. Tanudan became a municipality in 1932
during the Commonwealth regime of President Manuel L. Quezon by virtue of
Executive Order No. 42. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of
8,746 people. The town is known for Mount Binaratan. Legend tells that the
supreme god of the Kalinga people went into the mountain to hunt but was
irritated due to the noises made by the birds, so he ordered the birds to be
quiet. When he was done hunting, he forgot to revoke his order from the birds,
and thus, the mountain kept silent for all of eternity.

The iTanudans are known to be the Headhunters of yesteryears as

immortalized in the victory “Biking”tattoos of its Kalinga braves and elders. It is
known in Kalinga that the iTanudan people are strong advocates of the
“Bodong “ and their lives steeped in cultural traditions. It is claimed that they
are the last frontier where the Kalinga cultural practices and traditions are still
practiced .Ironically because of the harsh conditions in the area they have one
of the most numbers of professionals in the Kalinga from anthropologists,
doctors, lawyers, military and teachers and are known to have excelled
academically.
Gaang is a barangay in the municipality of Tanudan, in the province
of Kalinga. It lies on the south by barangay Dacalan, on the north by
barangays Lower and Upper Lubo, on the east by barangay Pangol and on
the west by the municipality of Tinglayan, Kalinga. It is approximately 47
kilometers away from the provincial capital; 5 kilometers from Poblacion
where the Municipal Hall is located. It is composed of three (3) sitios namely:
Gaang Proper, Magaogao and Guron.

It almost perfectly illustrates an ancestral domain in terms of physical

features. Nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Beauty Ranges and cradles
Northeast by mountain ranges like the Silent Mountains of Mt. Binaratan, the
village is within a fortress of heritage rice terraces and laced with the pristine
Tanudan River Northeast and Creeks. Village life is deeply steeped in culture
and traditions despite its people being educated and the Bodong still
relevantly practiced. Indigenous hard wood and fruit tress species makes up
its forest cover and a traditional forest resource system called “Imong”

2
contributes to a healthy watershed in Tanudan. Houses within the village/
community are intact and strategically surrounded with rice terraces.

Figure 1. Map of Kalinga Province

Figure 2: Barangay Gaang

a. Objectives of the study

3
 The main objective of the study is to discuss about the way of living,
traditions and public safety security of Barangay Gaang, Tanudan Kalinga
that will also help the barangay officials and the community to be more
aware of the place they live in.

This study aims to achieve the following objectives:

i. To promote Barangay Gaang to the public.
ii. To identify and monitor public safety problems of Barangay Gaang.
iii. To help Barangay officials in promoting and securing public safety.

b. Methodology
Ethnographic method of participant observation is primarily used since
one of the researchers herself is a native of Gaang. In the site of the research,
the researcher was able to gather data by conducting informal interview and
survey. Also, researchers had done some reviews of related literature's and
content analysis of written community documents that give them
enlightenment of the research.

II. MAPPING THE AREA: Geographical Map

a. Overview of the Area

4
 Elevation and Slope
The slope of Barangay Ga-ang ranges from rolling to moderately steep
sloping grounds. Its terrain near the habitation is generally rolling while
mountainous and rugged in its outlying areas. Gaang is situated at
approximately 17.2521, 121.2219, in the island of Luzon. Elevation at these
coordinates is estimated at 684.0 meters or 2,244.1 feet above mean sea
level. The land area was based on the 2013 Masterlist of land Areas of Cities
and Municipalities provided to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) by the
Land Management Bureau (LMB).

 Soils
There are three (3) general types of soil in the area, namely: Annam
sandy clay loam and undifferentiated mountain soil, the Gaang has
predominantly sandy loam texture with portions of silty soil. This soil series is
underlain with poor mass of clay loam.

Figure 2: Distribution of Soil Series in Tanudan

 Climate
The prevailing climate of Gaang is categorized under Type III
classification of the Weather Bureau. It has two pronounced seasons. Relative
dry season occurs from the month of February to May while the rest of the
year is generally wet. Heaviest rainfall occurs in September. Typhoons usually

5
strikes during July to December. It also experience weather condition that is
generally cold with a temperature of 19 to 24 degrees Celsius.

Figure 3: Monthly Climate Conditions of Tanudan

 Land Cover and Land Use

Gaang is mostly mountainous and hilly with a wide range of timberland.
Flora and fauna abound in the place.
From its total land area of 1,157.40 hectares, about 995.36 or about
86% are rolling hills and rugged terrain to moderately steep to very steep.
This covers the forest reserve which is suited for tropical trees, mossy forest
trees and grasses. The mossy forests are deemed for protection because
these are considered watershed areas and hunting grounds as there are
some wildlife in these area. Its agricultural land of more or less 200 hectares
is suited for highland commercial crops and temperate crops and trees while
about 1.1 hectares is for residential area. Out of the combine 698.4 hectares
of forest reserve, an estimated 431 hectares is mainly used as watershed
suited for wild bamboos, herbal tea, herbal medicines and others. Other
portions are planted with cogon grasses. This forest reserve is a source of
potable water supply for the community. The other areas are devoted to
timberland and covered with forests and shrubs and the remaining area is
open grassland which is used as a grazing land for the community and
adjacent barangays. About one (1) ha residential area includes space
occupied by schools, churches, and the barangay hall. Open spaces of the

6
existing school compound are utilized as playground and are commonly used
during inter school’s athletic meet and other celebrations in the barangay.

b. Geographical Map (Map of the Location)

Figure 4. Barangay Gaang Aerial view

c. Points of Convergence (nodes, nooks, corners, etc.)

Gaang shares a common border with the following barangay(s):
 Dacalan, Tanudan, Kalinga
 Upper Lubo, Tanudan, Kalinga
 Lower Lubo, Tanudan, Kalinga
 Lay-asan, Tanudan, Kalinga
 Luplupa, Tinglayan, Kalinga

d. Hazards Map (optional, if available)

e. Vital Infrastructure/Installation
The settlements are compact clusters of houses. Within the residential
areas are the institutional areas - barangay halls, schools, churches, child
development centers – and cultural areas.
The ator is a common area with cultural significance in the barangay.
The ator is a sociocultural institution led by the papangat or elders who are in
charge of the conduct of ili-wide rituals at certain stages of the agricultural
cycle and during major events in a person’s life, which the people are still
observing at present. Also, the obbog, or sources of drinking water, are also

7
culturally significant. It is believed that there is a spirit that guards a spring,
whom the people must respect by keeping the surroundings clean and
protecting the area from being polluted.

 Gaang Foothpath – connecting Barangay Gaang to Barangay

Dacalan

 Gaang Cable Footbridge- connected to Guimoyo-Tatakan Road

8
III. MAPPING THE AREA: Community Map

(Socio-demographic profile)

a. Population
Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 457. This
represented 5.23% of the total population of Tanudan. It fell from 571 in 1990
to 457 in 2020, a decrease of 114 people over the course of 30 years. The
latest census figures in 2020 denote a negative growth rate of 3.49%, or a
decrease of 84 people, from the previous population of 541 in 2015.
With regards to tribal affiliation, 98.3% of the population belongs to the
Iga-ang sub-tribe of Kalinga ethnic group and the remaining 1.7% belongs to
other ethnic groups like other Kalinga sub tribes, Ilocano and Tagalog. Entry
of other ethnic groups is due to intermarriage.
The population figures in this report were based on the results of the
2020 CPH.

Figure 5. Population vs Growth Rate

9
b. Political Structure

Historically, the community/ villages used to be autonomous, without a

higher level of government prior to the integration of the villages in the
Philippine government system. As apolitical institution, a Papangat or Aamma
or council of elders who use to govern the political and cultural affairs of the
community. The authority of the Papangat was rooted in their rich experience
and knowledge of the village’s history, traditions and customary law; proven
leadership capacity, fair and wise judgement.

Over the years, however, with the changing needs of the current
generation and demands on the barangay officials and with the integration of
the villages into the Philippine government system and introduction of
elections as the method for the selection of political leaders, the political roles
of the Aamma/Papangat have been gradually transferred to the barangay
officials. They now play a major role in maintaining peaceful relations with
other villages as Bodong or peacepact holders.

i. Local Government Unit

Elected officials of Tanudan for the term of 2019-2022

10
 ii. Barangay Level

The Sangguniang Barangay is now the formal governing unit in the

barangay that formulates and implements ordinances, prepares and
implements barangay development plans, etc. The elected officials are
members of the indigenous community. They are assisted by the Barangay
Peace Action Team (or the barangay tanod) in maintaining the peace and
order in the community. Conflicts and cases are mediated or resolved by the
aamma and other appointed members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa or lupon
headed by the punong barangay. Running for elective barangay positions is
open to men and women.

Elected Barangay Officials

c. Economy
Average household farm size for vegetable including root crops
production is about 465.95 hectares for the barangay. These are located
mostly adjacent to their respective rice fields. Average farm size of the rice
farming per households is 0.48 hectares.

The main livelihood of the iGaang (“i-” meaning people of/from) is

farming that includes rice farming and coffee growing, both are important

11
crops of the tribe. Rice is the staple food and main agricultural product in
barangay Gaang. Most of the rice fields have only one rice cropping in a year
called Dagun. Because of its elevation, it’s a perfect place for farming
varieties of coffee, namely, Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberia. The
villagers did not have any idea which variety is the best coffee. Coffee is
being serve as a sign of hospitality. Aside from rice and coffee other
agricultural products in Gaang are legumes. Nonetheless, the production of
legumes declined as less farmers currently practice the Uma, in which they
clear the vegetation of a mountain slope to plant legumes. The barangay is
one of the vegetable producers in the municipality however same is limited for
domestic use only and not even enough for the local demand. Farmers
practice the intercropping system producing different kind of vegetables in the
same plot. These agricultural products are manually hauled by the farmers
themselves given its small volume of harvest.

Among the livelihood activity of some of the barangay constituents is

livestock production such as duck, chicken, goat, native pig, carabao, and
cattle raising. Some farmers used to maintain small scale private fishponds for
their own consumption. Tilapia is the common fish grown in their fishpond.
Non-farm livelihoods include small businesses (sari-sari store, etc) and other
seasonal jobs in between the planting and harvesting seasons.

It also has tourism spots to offer especially to those who love to

explore and enjoy the virgin forest. Trekking the rugged but breezy mount
Tangob is one, experiencing the firsthand look of the Allom falls is another,
and experiencing the breathtaking view of the Ga-ang rice terraces is another.
other potential tourist attractions in the area like the Guilom Falls before
joining Tanudan River, Bugawit Cave. Other scenic sites and ecoparks with
fresh and clean water are also found within the barangay. These are just few
of the tourism sites and potentials found in the barangay.

Income Distribution by Household

Table below shows that there are 24 household whose monthly income
is within the P3, 001.00 to 6,000.00 range. Belonging to this range are
generally rice field farmers whose source of livelihood is all year round rice
field farming while composing the PhP 3,000.00 and below monthly income
range are the old and handicapped people who are generally doing small
vegetable and root crops farming. Comprising the 15 households belonging to
the PhP 12,000.00 and above monthly income range are overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and government employees.

12
 Table 1. INCOME DISTRIBUTION BY HOUSEHOLD
Income Bracket Number of Household Percentage
(monthly)
3,000 and below 23 22.77
3,001-6,000 21 23.76
6,001-9,000 24 20.79
9,001-12,000 18 17.82
12,000 and above 15 14.85
Total 101 100%

Figure 6. Poverty Incidence of Tanudan

d. Basic Services

i. Education
The barangay has its own Child Development Center managed by the
barangay. While the Ga-ang Elementary School serves as the primary
schools for the barangay. The Tanudan National High School will serve as the
secondary school for the students from this barangay.

ii. Health
The barangay at present has its own Barangay hall and Barangay
health center. There are 3 Barangay health workers (BHWs) and two midwifes
working in the said barangay. The health programs implemented in the
barangay include the maternal care, child care, environmental sanitations,
comprehensive nutrition, TB control, leprosy control, and health education
which are spearheaded by the Rural Health Unit of Tanudan (RHU). In cases
of illnesses that are beyond the capability of these barangay facilities, the
services of the Tanudan Municipal District Hospital (TMDH), Rural health Unit
and the Municipal Health Office (MHO) are sought. Said facility is located 5

13
and 9 kilometers away from the barangay. In a survey conducted by Barangay
health workers of Ga-ang in 2017, the leading causes of deaths are
pneumonia, diarrhea, diabetes, and hypertension. Other causes of death
aside from sicknesses are accidents.

iii. Transport System

 Tatakkan-Guimuyo Road
Barangay Ga-ang is not yet accessible through vehicle transport
however it can be reach by foot for less than an hour from the end of the road
in Tatakkan. Nevertheless, same will be reach by fourwheel vehicle in the
next 3 years through the Tabuk Banaue via Tanudan Barlig National road
since said road will traverse the barangay.

 Tanudan National Road

Residents of some barangays in Tanudan including Gaang enjoy
safer and faster transport of goods and health access with the contruction of
the road. It also boost agricultural productivity, tourism, and manufacturing in
the municipality of Tanudan. It provides the residents a hundred percent all
weather route.

iv. Communication System

Language use was often dictated by age and location; for example,
elders were more proficient in English as an alternative language to their own
dialect which is Ginagaang than in Ilocano or Tagalog, a by-product of their
education with American missionaries as children, while youth spoke Tagalog
if they could not find the appropriate word in English, the result of the
widespread use of Tagalog in mainstream media and entertainment.

v. Social Welfare
Other social services offered by the MLGU in the barangay are
provision of social assistance to persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior
citizens, case management intervention to special cases under violence
against women and children (VAWC), children in conflict with the law (CICL),
fraternity recruitment (FR) and persons with substance use disorder (PSUD),
refer clients needing financial and medical assistance, and provision of double
feeding to children. Technical assistance and support services to KALIPI,
Senior citizens, PWDs, Child development workers and Local Council for the
protection of Children. Other social advocacies such as strengthening of
social welfare developments, councils and special bodies including
enhancements of knowledge, skills and competencies of targeted sectors in
the barangay’s.

vi. Water System

14
 There is only one (1) operational source of water supply in Barangay
Ga-ang and that is Mt.Tangob. It serves as the source of water for domestic
use and as well as agricultural use of the barangay and nearby communities.
The vast Tangob creek watershed is communally owned, maintained and
protected by Barangay Ga-ang since it is the main source of water supply for
the community. Domestic water service is run by the barangay and is
maintained through the barangay plumbers. Most of the households have
their individual water supply using GI pipes and plastic hose to convey water
from source to the dwellings.

vii. Electricity and Energy

There is only one source of electricity in Barangay Gaang and that is
Kalinga - Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO).

viii. Sanitation and Refuse/Waste Management

There are at least six (6) communal comfort rooms within the
Barangay. Mostly of the households have no access to sanitary toilets
facilities. Lack of a comprehensive approach to managing solid and liquid
construction wastes management system is emerging as an environmental
concern.

ix. Etc.
 The i-Gaang have customary practices and associations for the purpose
of mutual help and defense system. These are not registered but have proven
effective in in ensuring cooperation and mutual aid.
Ab-abbuyog a group of adult males and/or females agree to work
together to make the heavy farm tasks easier and to accomplish these faster.
It is an exchange of labor between the members of the group. Those who
form the group depend on the number of women and men who agree and are
interested in joining the group. The youth may also be involved. It is also
observed during house construction in which community members contribute
free labor. When it is their turn to build/repair a house, the other community
members will reciprocate the assistance they rendered in the past. Free labor
is also extended to needy families, i.e., whose house was burned or affected
by a landslide. Aside from labor they may also provide help in kind or in the
form of goods.
 In Gaang, land is acquired through inheritance, exchange, purchase,
grant or donation. The children are given their inheritance (land) when they
are about to establish their own family. Traditionally, daughters inherit from
the mother side and the sons inherit from the father. In case a couple has four
or more sons and the father has only three rice fields, only the first three will
be given an inheritance and the others will have none. However, the couple
can remedy this if the mother has more rice fields and fewer daughters. The
eldest daughter may give a part of her share to her brother. Aside from the

15
individual ownership of rice fields inherited from one’s parents, the members
of a clan or descent group share in the ownership and access rights to a
clanowned property. The clan members manage their ancestral lands as their
common property, sharing in its resources or ensuring access among the
members.
Customary laws on land ownership also dictates that when one wants
to sell or dispose of his/her land, he/she should first offer it to his/her relatives.
The land can be paid in kind, such as pigs or carabaos, without necessarily
monetizing the animals.

e. Religion
Gaang is predominantly Roman Catholic with 95% of the population
belonging to this religion. A small percentage belongs to other religions such
as the Bible Baptist Church, Pentecost. The teachings of the different religions
are affecting the people’s view of the traditional beliefs and practices. A
number of people integrate the Christian beliefs with the customary beliefs
and rituals, while others consider these as idolatrous and pagan.

IV. PUBLIC SAFETY PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

a. Peace and Order

 Bodong refers to the ‘peace pact’ or peace council used in the Province of
Kalinga in the northern part of the Philippines. The literal meaning of Bodong
is “bound together” which is an apt description for how the peace pact
establishes(s) and maintain(s) bilateral and peace relations between two
villages or tribal communities through a formalized, mutual agreement.
It is a socio-cultural and economic institution conceived and
painstakingly developed through the centuries out of a need for collective
security which is the basis for binding viable communities which sprung from
their ardent desire to live in peace and social security and with the belief of
advancing towards economic prosperity and social stability if peace is
achieved. Bodong also promotes the development and preservation of a
cultural heritage that bespeaks of a distinctive ethnic identity.
The Bodong administration is an institution recognized by the
Philippine government by virtue of Executive Order 220, now guided by the
PAGTA of 1986 and based on the indigenous laws of the Cordillera.

 MURTA
All events that happened in the ili were subject to collective assent of
recognized papangat and lallakay which were accepted and followed by the
umili. Decision making was the chief role of the papangat and lallakay
including its promulgation by appropriate rituals and the dispensation of the
appropriate means and solutions to settle disputes. Land disputes are decided
by elders who are familiar with the history of the land subject to dispute. The

16
first who improved the land is the recognized owner. Disputes arising from
agricultural cycle activities are resolved by the parties involved before
relatives of both parties with the intervention of prominent elders. Violations of
customary laws are decided by the elders. MURTA (penalty) is imposed upon
the culprit. Penalties depend on the gravity of crime committed and mutual
understanding of both parties.
The key to any successful resolution of an issue or acceptable
promulgation is the element of consensus that pervades by and among the
players and stakeholders in any dialogue or decision making.

b. Common Problems
 Agricultural practices have remained the same which could be
attributed to the slow development of the countryside.
 Use of illegal drugs (i.e marijuana)
 No waste disposal
 Sanitation: construction of comfort room of all households on the
basis of state’s police power.
 While the clan or community forest ownership and management
system worked effectively in the past, individualism, selfishness and greed for
cash benefits are now eroding the taboo of just exploiting the resources
without the consent of the clan members or the community. Most of the
remaining watershed and protected clan areas are degraded in varying
degrees because of mismanagement and irresponsible encroachment. Large-
scale clearing and forest burning are among of the major threats to biological
diversity.
 Improvement of primary foot trails, delivery of basic social services, repair
and maintenance of roads, sanitations and drainage systems are the few
among the priority infrastructure concerns identified by the community for
funding assistance.

c. Problem Analysis
The sustainability of the resources of Barangay Gaang are being
threatened by “increasing population, increasing affluence and changing
consumption patterns, growth of settlements resulting to conversion of
agricultural land to residential land; and the discharge of more waste products
which resulted to siltation of rivers and other water bodies.”

Water shortage for domestic supply is commonly experienced during

the dry season. The identified solution is to tap new water sources but these
are quite far, thus, funds are needed for the construction of water works
system. There is also a problem with the contamination of some sources due
to the cultivation of the surrounding areas with the use of chemical inputs.

17
 Poverty is one among the result of government’s failure to address
grassroots issues. Helpless farmers usually resort to kaingin farming or worst
to illegal logging. With such undesirable situations, the community could only
look for ways to somehow raise itself from the ails of destitution.Gaang being
an agricultural area had to device ways and means to somehow eliminate the
causes of the current situation, thus it has to align its development programs
on the improvement of priority infrastructure projects that will boost production
efficiency and productivity.

d. Government Initiatives
i. LGU
 Anti-illegal drug campaign
With the help of barangay officials and the police, various meetings and
engagements were done in the community in order to raise awareness that
illegal drugs will bring them no good.
 Forest Guard/ Bantay Gubat
 GURU PRESS-CORDILLERA
Being paid P15k monthly for free to help disseminate information about
the developmental programs, activities and plans of the MLGU-Tanudan since
Tanudan has no information office to handle info dissemination on a wide
scale.

ii. MPS (you may also include here RPO or PPO)

 Kabataan Kontra Droga and Terorismo(KKDAT)
The PNP’s Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) aims
teducate the youth not to fall for the deceitful tactics of the New People’s Army
(NPA). Through the KKDAT, the youth is provided with development sessions,
counseling, awareness about substance abuse, and the deception of CTGs
Train young leaders to be well-rounded in terms of public services. KKDAT
members can join various PNP activities like community service and tree
planting.
 BARANGAYanihan activity

V. Recommendations
Establishment/enactment of municipal ordinance in support for the
enactment of national law establishing Mt. Binaratan a protected land area as
forest reserved, wild life sanctuary, and to preserved its botanical and
scientific utilization for the future generation. This will serve as a
preventive/protective measure of all forest products int he said area against
unscrupulous individuals considering the eventual continuation for the
construction of TABUK-BANAUE ROAD.
More studies of the iGaang culture for the preservation of its identity.

VI. Conclusions

18
 Overall, Barangay Gaang, in Tanudan Kalinga is a safe place to work,
live and do business. Despite of minor problems that arises due to increase of
population in the area, solutions are readily available and or addressed. With
the help of the officials and the community, peace is also attained and
maintained. Due to the respect of people to each and everyone in the
municipality and also to the peace act that was created by the indigenous
people long ago, minimal crimes are being listed. As to the location of the
area, easy access to nearby barangays is available due to different
infrastructure that are build. Health care facilities are also available for easy
access for the community due to the presence of Tanudan Municipal Hospital.
Farming is the most important source of living of most people in the barangay.
Readily help from the LGU is also available to the community that’s why
poverty in easily addressed. Barangay Gaang in Tanudan Kalinga is really a
place that needs more development but overall it’s a very pleasant place to
live in.

VII. References
1. Cayangao, Pacita D. (2013). “The Indigenous Values in the Cultural
Practices, Rituals, and Beliefs of the Ilubo Sub-tribe of Tanudan, Province of
Kalinga”.Unpublished Master’s Thesis, KASC, Bulanao, Tabuk City.
2. Cosme, Jessie B. (2012) “Indigenous Values of Paniyao, Ngilin, and Bain of
ng the Subtribe of Tinglayan in Kalinga” Unpublished Master’s Thesis, SLCB,
Bulanao, Tabuk City.
3. Dozier, Edward. “The Kalinga of Northern Luzon Philippines”. Manila: G.
Miranda and Sons, 1987.
4. Ballug, Manolo (2008). The Bodong (Peace Pact).
5. Balweg, B. (2014). The Bodong System in Cordillera.
6. Informants: Thomas Dulliyao- Barangay Captain of Ga-ang; Rosemarie B
Masadao- Nursing Attendant, Tanudan Municipal Hospital.
7. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles

VIII. Annexes

19