NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

THE EXTENT OF IMPLEMENTATION

OF BODONG IN BARANGAY LANCUAS,

SAN EMILIO, ILOCOS SUR

SELECCION, GLADYS L.
NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Chapter I

Introduction

Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and eastern cultures.

The traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influenced by the traditions of the Indigenous

people. The cultural landscape also features Spanish, American, Japanese and Indonesian

influence. The major religions in the country are Christianity and Islam which have played a

significant role in shaping the culture of the Philippines(www.worldatlas.com).

One of the tradition cultures of the Philippines that is practiced even these days is the

Bodong especially in Kalinga, the northern part of the Philippines. The Bodong is usually

worked out in large gathering between two villages that belong to the same geographic area and

shares kinship ties, they call the written laws pagta. The tribes of Kalinga are known for their

tribal-wars wherein a life is repayable only with another life.

Bodong is the traditional peace and treaty of Kalinga society. The Bodong is a treaty of

two tribes who have agreed to formulate a lawful arrangement in relation to each other. The

Bodong is carried out end the fight of two tribes and to ensure peace and security in their area so

as not to affect trade and other economic activities. Trough Bodong people are safeguarding their

safety when they travel and existence of justice when a member of the tribe has done something

that is bad to a member of the majority of the tribe (philippineculturaleduc.com)

The municipality of San Emilio in the Province of Ilocos Sur, being within the

geographical location of Cordillera was originally part and parcel of the Old Mountain Province

under its 5th sub-province called Lepanto-Amburayan with Cervantes as its capital. This

municipality came into existence since 1723 through the Spanish colonial Government as
NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Comandancia Politico Militar with its proper name as El Pueblo de Tiagan. The Municipality

has a land area of 150.02 square kilometers with a population of at least 7,434 as 2010. It

composed of eight barangays (Lgu-SanEmilio.gov.ph).

One of the barangays of San Emilio, Lancuas is taken as a respondent of this study.

This study will be a significant endeavor in promoting and keeping the importance of

Bodong Justice System. Since Bodong is adopted and being practice in San Emilio though not

familiar to its hereby Municipality particularly in the lowland areas, the researchers are inspired

and decide to undertake the study of Bodong Justice System as a tribal peace law. It will also as a

future reference for researchers and importantly this research will educate new generation on

how important the Bodong Justice System is.

Statement of the Problem

This study is aims to determine the profile of the respondents. Specially, it seeks answer to the

following questions;

1. What is the profile of the respondents in Barangay Lancuas, San Emilio, Ilocos Sur in terms

of;

a. age;

b. sex;

c. religious affiliation;

d. occupation;

e. monthly income; and

NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

f. highest educational attainment?

2.What is the extent of implementation of Bodong justice system of barangay Lancuas, San

Emilio, Ilocos Sur?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and their perception

on the extent of implementation of Bodong in Barangay Lancuas, San Emilio, Ilocos Sur?

Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is to determine the extent of implementation and the sustainability of

Bodong Justice System. The respondents of this study are the members of Bodong system and

the Registered Voters of San Emilio. The profile of the respondents is delimited to their age, sex,

address, religious affiliation, monthly income, occupation and highest educational attainment.

The process is Construction and validation of questionnaires, library and internet research,

encoding and analysis interpretation of data. The output is The Extent of Implementation of

Bodong in Barangay Lancuas, San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.

Theoretical Framework

The researchers read and reviewed literature and studies which are deemed related to the

present study. Here are some of the readings reviewed which have bearing to the study.

The 1999 Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Award for Peace Through Participatory

Development is the Cordillera Bodong Administration -- a voluntary initiative among ethnic

groups that should inspire warring lowland groups to put their act together for peace.
NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

In his acceptance speech on behalf of his colleagues, Emilio M. Liwanen traced the historical

roots of bodong, saying it was created by the different tribes of Kalinga, Bondoc, and Ifugao "in

the olden days when the mountain or Cordillera people were branded as headhunters, or as

people who practiced the law of the jungle, who realized that killing somebody who offended

you without proper investigation was not a solution to problems." In those days, he said, fear of

reprisal was very strong, the tribes did not trust each other, and knowledge and development

were not shared among the tribal folk. When the bodong system was established and

confederated, "it neutralized everything, and made the relationship among tribes so strong that

the fault of one became the fault of the whole

tribe."(www.philstar.com/opinion/2000/03/14/1032/bodong-oeace-making-system-stands).

Malinnag et al. (2007) that Bodong, as an indigenous justice system that plays a minor role

nowadays, is still effective. Further, Malinnag et al. believe that the rich culture of Abra can only

be restored by educating by educating the youth and engaging them in more cultural activities.

The researchs dug at the imbedded value of bodong as institution of tribal justice system in the

province of Abra. Bodong as a peace-pact has cultural practices and formation as found out in

the study. These are Sipat, Singlip, Allatiw or Allaise and Delmat

(https://agshan.wordpress.com/2016/05/27/the-scepter-of-peace-and-justice).

According to the Chairman of Screening Committee of Bodong in San Emilio,Pastor Ramon

Omaoeng, Bodong is a big help to the residents of San Emilio because since they implemented it

the upland people are safe and more confident in their action especially when they are in cities.

Bodong is a way on protecting and safeguarding the people of upland.

 NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Conceptual Paradigm

The diagram shows the research paradigm of the study

Input Process Output

A. Bodong Members Profile -Construction and The Extent of Implementation

a. Age Validation of of Bodong Justice System in

b. Sex Questionnaire. Barangay Lancuas, San Emilio,

c. Religious affiliation Ilocos Sur.

-Library and internet
d. Occupation
research
e. Monthly income
-Encoding and analysis
f. Highest education
interpretation of data
attainment

Figure 1

As shown in the paradigm, the input is the profile of the respondents in terms of their age,

sex, religious affiliation, monthly income, occupation, highest education attainment. The Process

the construction and validation of questionnaires, library and internet research, encoding and

analysi interpretation of data. The output is the Extent of Implementation of Bodong Justice

System in Barangay Lancuas, San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.