BARLIG, Mountain Province – The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera through its Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program conducted a consultation with the Kadaclan Ancestral Domain holders/owners on March 7-10, 2023 in Lunas, Barlig, Mt. Province.
Taking into account the pre-consultation held in November 2022, the activity aims to validate the priority projects of the five barangays covered by the Kadaclan AD namely – Chupac, Kaleo, Ogo-og and Lunas of Barlig and Banao of Natonin.
During the consultation, Barlig Municipal Agriculturist Ceferino Oryan explained that project identification and priority setting should be anchored on the ability of proponents to manage their operations, maintenance, and sustainability. “To sustain those projects, make sure you can establish its operational and management policies,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Program Planning Officer Mary Joyce Anaydos reiterated that before the procurement process, plan and design of each project will be presented and discussed deliberately with the community to ensure that it would be implemented in accordance with the location and need of the indigenous cultural community. She also added that the implementation phase is until the end of this year.
Further, Mr. Juan Falinchao of NCIP Mountain Province-CSC PANABA explained that the activity is part of the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process wherein Indigenous Peoples (IPs) undertake their own/independent collective decision on matters affecting them, as an exercise of their right to their land, territories and resources; their right to self-determination; and cultural integrity. “We appreciate your participation in prioritizing projects in your community. We assure you that we will prepare necessary documents needed for this program,” he stated.
Priority projects identified are infrastructures such as Tramline, Footpath, Spring Development Project, Footpath, and Footbridge for Ogo-og, Kaleo, Chupac, Lunas, and Banao respectively with budget allocation of PhP 1M pesos each barangay.
Major crops to be supported by these projects are heirloom rice, assorted vegetables, ginger, sugarcane, pineapple, tiger grass, root crops, and fruit trees.
On the other hand, the Kadaclan Indigenous Peoples Organization (KIPO) was reorganized with the election of new set of officers and oath taking ceremony. Their oath taking was administered by Chupac Punong Barangay Benedicto Nabunat. KIPO will serve as the implementing arm of the Kadaclan AD. Whereas, the Kadaclan Council of Elders will serve as the policy making body of the Kadaclan AD.
Community Development Officer Cynthia Rose Backian facilitated the activity. It was also attended by Municipal Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Mr. Dionie Chungalan, Barangay IPMRs, Barangay Officials, and community members. By LDMendoza
