LUNA, Apayao – To ensure inclusive decision-making and development planning, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera’s (DA-CAR) Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program spearheaded community consultations for the Nabuangan Ancestral Domain in Conner and the Zumugui-Bayugao Ancestral Domain in Luna, Apayao. These gatherings saw the participation of indigenous peoples organization (IPO) members, barangay officials, officials from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Municipal Mayor’s Office of Conner, Provincial Agriculture Office, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Community Service Center (CSC).
The consultations began with an orientation on the goals, objectives, strategies, and projects supported by the DA-CAR’s 4K Program. A rapid assessment followed to understand the current situation in each ancestral domain, focusing on factors such as existing farmer groups, previous project implementations, and predominant crops, purposely to avoid duplication of projects.
In Nabuangan, further discussions centered on identifying community needs and proposing projects for 2024. Priority was given to initiatives aimed at improving rice and corn production, including the acquisition of agricultural equipment, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, and rehabilitation of bridges to facilitate transportation to markets. Subsequent activities, such as project validations, project proposal making, and presentations were discussed and agreed upon.
Meanwhile, in Zumugui-Bayugao, a needs assessment was also conducted, revealing the community’s needs for additional support to undertake major projects due to limited community capacity. Recognizing the importance of thorough social preparation to ensure project success and sustainability, stakeholders convened for a focused discussion. The 4K Regional Program Management Office, MAO, NCIP CSC, and barangay officials collaboratively explored strategies for enhancing community capacity and access to program services. A decision was made to establish a dedicated team to oversee these efforts and ensure their success.
The Nabuangan Ancestral Domain is home to the Isneg indigenous groups across five barangays in Conner, namely Cupis, Ripang, Nabuangan, Paddoan, and Caglayan. Agriculture is the primary livelihood, with rice, corn, and an array of fruits and root crops being the main commodities cultivated.
On the other hand, the Zumugui-Bayugao domain encompasses the Agta communities residing in Sitio Calabigan, Zumigui, and Sitio Bayugao, Turod, all located in Luna, Apayao. Notably, this marks a significant milestone as it represents the first Agta Ancestral Domain to undergo the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) processing within the region. The recommendation for inclusion in the 4K Program by the NCIP-CAR underscores the importance of extending support to these communities.
Living as a hunter-gatherer society, the Agtas in the domain rely on traditional methods of subsistence, supplemented by small-scale rice and vegetable cultivation. However, these agricultural activities often fall short of meeting the community’s needs, particularly as they must sell some of the produce to use for other food necessities. To bridge the gap, they resort to gathering bananas and cassavas to sustain themselves.
These consultations are part of the 4K Program’s ongoing efforts to support indigenous communities in Apayao, ensuring that the unique needs and aspirations of indigenous communities are addressed and integrated into the development plans. By Nympha Akilith