BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng mga Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program, in collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – CAR, is currently conducting a four-day training on Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) Preparation in Baguio City and will run until May 23, 2025.
The training aims to further equip the Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) in crafting and/or updating their ADSDPPs putting into consideration the evolving developmental needs of the IPs and their indigenous cultural communities (ICCs). There are seven (7) participating IPOs who come from Tubo (Abra); Kadaclan (Mountain Province); Domolpos and Lusod-Ambasa (Benguet); Nabuangan (Apayao); Sumadel (Kalinga), and Imajaojao (Ifugao)
The ADSDPP is a long-term, comprehensive spatial and development plan that includes a minimum five-year program of activities aimed at identifying and implementing initiatives to strengthen self-governance, reduce poverty, protect the environment and cultural integrity, and promote lasting peace and genuine development within the ancestral domains of specific ICCs/IP groups.
These participatory activities enable the participants to exercise, enforce and realize their rights to self-governance and self-determination. Juliet Quinto – ADSDPP Focal of NCIP-CAR, underscored that, as per the ADSDPP Guidelines, the ICCs/IPs must prepare a culturally-sensitive and gender-responsive ADSDPP aligned with their customary practices, laws and traditions.
Quinto added that under the revised guidelines on ADSDPP formulation, which is also pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, the ADSDPP serves as a tool to empower the ICCs/IPs in achieving the overall well-being of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations. It also safeguards their customs, beliefs, traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems and practices through holistic and integrated planning.
ADSDPP formulation covers three basic components namely ancestral domain and community situationer, development and protection plans and programs, and implementation policies and mechanisms.
Additionally, the identified agricultural projects that will be included in the ADSDPP may be funded by DA through the 4K Program through prioritization.
The training is the first out of three series, this being the data gathering phase. The remaining series are data processing and development plan finalization.
The training is being facilitated by DA-CAR Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division Assistant Chief Charles Picpican, 4K Program Regional Focal Person Oliver Pe, 4K Program National Office Marketing Lead David De Joya, NCIP-CAR Regional Director Ronald Calde, and Merielda Nadunop, owner and manager of Nadunop Research, who also served as a resource speaker. By Cy-j E. Waytan
