The Ancestral Domain

Belonging To the
Higaunon Of
Agtulawon
Mintapod Higaunon
Cumadon (AGMIHICU)
Introduction
 The Ancestral Domain belonging to the Higaunon
of Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon
(AGMIHICU) with Certificate of Ancestral Space
Title (CADT) No. R10-IMP- 1206-054 is arranged in
the barangays of Kalabugao and Hagpa of the
region of Impasugong, and Brgy. San Luis
Municipality of Malitbog, all within the territory of
Bukidnon, in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The
Hereditary Space contains add up to arrive zone of
Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen and
7592/1000 (14,313.7592) hectares, more or less.
Brief History

 The history of Higaunon can be drawn from

the mantukaw, an oral tradition that only its
privileged natu or tribal elders can recite.
Higaunon has a strict rule, not only to tell his
story to anyone, but also to obtain permission
from the souls of his ancestors through
religious ceremonies. History is sacred to them.
They consider it one of the few treasures.
(AGMIHICU ADSDPP, 2009).
Higaunon Origin

 Agtulawon Mintapod Higaunon Cumadon ancestral

territory is part of the larger Higaunon territory in
northern and central Mindanao. Higaunon talugan or
ancestral territory includes four provinces, including
Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan
del Norte, and is established under customary law called
"walo ha talugan" (eight territories). Higaunon talugan is
bounded by eight major rivers originating from Mt.
Kimangkil, including the Agusan River, Balatukan River,
Cagayan River, Kabulig River, Ranau River, Odiong River,
Prangi River and Tagoloan River. (Cumatang, et al., 2018)
The culture and traditions of Higaunon and
their Patagonan daw Bahawbahaw
 Higaunon are closely related to their forest and
environment. For example, the land and resources in
their ancestral territory are mainly used by the
community for cultural activities and practices. The
motivation of the Higaunon community to protect
their Patagonian daw Bahawbahaw may be related
to their close and deep-rooted relationship with the
environment. Use their own traditional resource
management and conservation practices to protect
these areas, because this gives them historical,
spiritual, cultural, ecological and economic
importance.
 Patagonan is revered as a sacred and cult place
by the Higaunon community of AGMIHICU
because these areas are dotted with their sacred
places and are composed of their spiritual
forests.
Community Conservation
 In 2009, AGMIHICU and AnthroWatch jointly
delineated their Patagonan boundary in
Mintapod for the first time through a GPS
survey and conducted a preliminary resource
assessment. In 2015, NTFPEP assisted the
community in fully delineating Patagonia. It
was also during this period that indigenous
leaders at the national level called for the
protection of ICCA in the country.
Protection
 For the Higaunon people, protecting the
environment means maintaining their tribe and
culture. The richness provided by the
environment exceeds the richness of its
heritage and needs. These deep-rooted
principles of Higaunon use its traditional and
sustainable resource management practices to
interweave cultural livelihoods and
environmental protection.
Threats to ancestral territories
 Communities face various threats, including
BBB program, encroachment, continuation of
illegal activities, rebellion, and loss of
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices
(IKSP).
Build Build Build Program
 Among these threats, the community believes
that the construction of a national highway in
its ancestral territory is the most threatening.
Although the community generally supports
the construction of the road, the project is
under threat because it was carried out without
free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
Currently, two national highways are being
constructed in the area.
Presence of Armed Group
 The rebellion triggered by the long-term
conflict between government forces and non-
state armed group’s guerrillas has been going
on for decades, posing an imminent threat to
the CPI/IP. The aforementioned armed
struggle has exacerbated the peace and order
situation in the region, greatly affecting
operations and the livelihoods of communities.
Ignorance of the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples
 Some community members have sold their
farmland to lowland residents who do not live
in IP. This is correct for Brgys. Kalabugao and
Hagpa. Now most of the land used for
agriculture (such as rice cultivation) is now
owned by non-IP members who originally
lived in the lowlands.
Conclusion
 Higaunon has a strict rule in terms of their oral history,
because it is sacred based on their ancestral religion. This
indigenous people are close to nature and use it for
historical, spiritual, cultural, ecological and economics. They
made their community was a sacred cult who always believe
the spirits in the forest “Magbabaya.” Their livelihood
depends on hunting and gathering society, harvesting forest
products for food and medicine. Due to the improvement of
science and technology, the GPS survey was use by ICCA
verifying boundaries. The government agency like
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
recognized ICAA as an effective means of forest protection
and protect the forest life in mountains.
The end